H. L. CARR, who is now serving his first term as mayor of Blockton, is showing himself well qualified to fill the position to the satisfaction of the public and with credit to himself. Spending his life here from his childhood days, he is well known to the people of this section, who have chosen him for the responsible position which he is now filling. Born in Worth county, Missouri, March 9, 1862, he was but an infant when brought to Taylor county by his parents, Thomas and Mary (WILLIAMS) CARR, the former a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was reared. He came as a young man to Taylor county, Iowa, and it was here that his marriage to Miss WILLIAMS was consummated. Following his marriage Mr. CARR removed to Worth county, Missouri, where he remained for a time but eventually returned to Taylor county, where he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry under Captain FLICK. Going south with his company he was there taken sick and died in a hospital at Benton Barracks about 1864. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Redding, Ringgold county, Iowa.

H. L. CARR of this review was but a child when he was taken to Clinton county, this state, and was there reared on a farm, while his education was acquired in the common schools. He was a young man of twenty years, when, in 1882, he returned to Taylor county and sought employment at farm labor. He was married in October of the following year, 1883, to Miss Sarah ALLEN, who was born in Ohio but they were married in Buchanan county, Iowa.

Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm situated near Blockton and Mr. CARR gave his attention to general farming for about four years, when, believing that other pursuits would prove more congenial, as well as profitable to him, he removed to Blockton and for several years was engaged in various lines of business. Always of a public-spirited nature, he has many times served in local official positions and on the republican ticket was elected mayor of Blockton, now serving his first term in that responsible position. Although he has served but a short time he has already demonstrated that he is the right man in the right place for he at once undertook the work of having the streets cleaned, walks laid and in other ways has made needed improvements which have added not only to the comfort and convenience of Blockton's residents but to the attractive appearance of the city as well. On all public questions where the best interests of the community are involved he is ever to be found on the right side and stands firm in support of his honest convictions.

Prominent in fraternal circles, Mr. CARR is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he has served through all the chairs and is now a past chancellor. He has also served as a delegate ot the grand lodge seven years and has been instrumental in framing the by-laws with the pythian committee. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. CARR has been blessed with three children but their first-born, Vanna V., died when three years of age, the surviving members being Cullen B. and Beulah May. The family are prominent in social circles in Blockton and as an official Mr. CARR stands high in the community, having the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact, while as charter members of the Christian church both Mr. and Mrs. CARR take an active part in the various organizations of that denomination.

SOURCE:  CROSSON, Frank E. History of Taylor County, Iowa: From The Earliest Historic Times to 1910  Pp. 633 - 634. S.J. Clarke Pub. Chicago. 1910.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008