John W. Carr

CARR, WEATHERINGTON, MOORE

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/3/2001 at 07:09:58

From Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties - 1890
JOHN W. CARR
Hon. John W. Carr, a farmer and banker, who for the past thirty years has been a resident of Milton, Van Buren County Iowa was born near Columbus in Franklin County Ohio, on November 14, 1836. His parents were Jonathan and Margaret Jane Weatherington Carr. The father was born in Virginia in 1810, was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Franklin County Ohio in early life. The mother was born near Columbus in 1813, and was the daughter of John and Sarah Weatherington, who were natives of Virginia. In 1844 John W. Carr removed with his parents to Madison County Illinois, where his father died the year following. Soon after her husband’s death, Mrs. Carr returned to her former home in Ohio. John W. attended school in his native state until the spring of 1853 when, with his mother, he immigrated to Iowa, settling on a farm situated three miles to the northward of the city of Milton, in the township of Jackson, Van Buren County. He at once engaged in farming and in making a home for his mother. The following winter he attended the Troy Academy for one term; fitted himself for teaching; after which, for several successive years, he was employed on the farm during the working seasons, and in teaching school during the winter months. At length, having secured a cash capital of $350, he embarked in merchandising in Milton in company with George Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Carr. In 1862 Robert Russell was admitted to partnership, and in 1864 Mr. Smith sold out to his partners. The business was conducted by Carr and Russell until 1867, when Mr. Carr became sole proprietor, and from that time carried on operations alone until January 1875, when his father-in-law Joseph Moore, purchased an interest in the business, and the connection continued until March, 1882, when Mr. Carr sold out and turned his attention to his extensive farming property which he had gradually acquired while merchandising. His farms, which aggregate twelve hundred acres, lie principally in Jackson Township, Van Buren County, while a portion of his land is situated in Roscoe Township adjoining, just across the line in Davis County.
In Van Buren County on December 27, 1860, Mr. Carr was married to Miss Henrietta Moore, daughter of Joseph and Lucy Moore, of Chequest Township, this county. The lady was born in Franklin County Ohio, July 21, 1840 and came to Van Buren County with her parents in 1842. On October 5, 1887, Mr. Car in company with J.E. Billups, Joseph Moore, J.D. Rowland, the Russell Brothers and C.E. Bull bought out J.D. Nash and incorporated the Citizens’ Bank, of Milton with a capital of $10,000. Mr. Carr was elected President and W.D. Russell Cashier. William Billups subsequently bought out the Russell Brothers interest and served one year as Cashier, after which he resigned the position to Frank M. Edmundson, the present cashier, but still retains his interest in the bank. Mr. Carr has held the position of President uninterruptedly since the organization of the company. In political sentiment he is a Democrat. He has held numerous township offices in Jackson Township and enjoys the distinction of having been the only Democrat ever elected to the State Senate from the Second District of Iowa. He was elected in 1884 over one of the most popular Republicans in the district, Col. S.A. Moore, by a majority of 350; Mr. Carr’s vote was 3,122, to Mr. Moore’s 2,772, while Mr. Trebilcock, the Greenback candidate received 899 votes.
Mr. Carr is esteemed one of the most successful businessmen of Van Buren County and has won his success by his unaided efforts and sagacious business management. As a financier, he is an acknowledged leader in his community, where is enjoys the unbounded confidence and respect of a wide circle of friends and business associates.
I am not related, and am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.