Fayette County PA Archives Biographies.....Carr, John D. December 16, 1849 - ????
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marta Burns marta43@juno.com August 26, 2024, 12:36 pm

Source: Gresham and Wiley, 1889: Biographical & Portrait Cyclopedia, Fayette Co, PA, pg 241
Author: John H. Gresham & Samuel T. Wiley

    John D Carr, one of the most enterprising and 
public-spirited men of the county, was born near Recreation 
Park, Allegheny county, Penna, December 16, 1849.  His 
father was the largest and most successful market gardener 
in his day, of Pittsburgh and Allegheny county.  The 
information that enables the envied steward of the county 
home to outdo all our farmers with farm products and 
vegetables was gathered during his boyhood days on his 
father's extensive farm.  "I have hoed the cabbage, cared 
for the corn, and picked potatoes on the very ground now 
known as Recreation Park," remarked Mr Carr recently, and 
his wonderful display at the late county fair would indicate 
that his early training had been improved by time.
    On reaching man's estate, Mr Carr was apprenticed to a 
marble cutter.  He learned the trade thoroughly and was 
recognized as a skillful mechanic. He assumed the charge of, 
and became superintendent of the Pittsburgh Marble Works of 
W W Wallace, the largest establishment of its kind in 
Pennsylvania, holding this position until 1783.  In the same 
year he came to Fayette City and started in the marble 
business on his own account.  He met with great success, and 
his work was rapidly securing a reputation, when in October, 
1884, his shops were destroyed by fire.
    In January, 1885, he was elected Steward of the County 
Home, his excellent management of this trust has been 
faithful, sensible and humane.  His efforts have always been 
directed in the interest of the taxpayers of Fayette county, 
and no fair man of either political party has ever accused 
him of being dilatory in the discharge of his duties. His 
official career has ever been open to the most rigid 
investigation, and he has always been able to rise above 
party prejudice in the management of his important charge.
    A more eloquent tribute to a faithful servant could not 
be written than the official letter appended:

State of Pennsylvania
Committee on Lunacy, the Board of Public Charities
Office, Number 1224 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
A J Ourt, MD, Philadelphia, Secretary
January 8, 1887
John D Carr, Esq, Steward Fayette County
Almshouse, Uniontown, Penna
My Dear Sir:
I have just learned that some changes have been made in your 
Board of Directors.  This, I hope, will not interfere with 
your re-appointment to the position you have so creditably 
filled.  In my official visits to your county home or 
almshouse, I have observed with pleasure the tidy appearance 
of the inmates and their cheerful and contented disposition, 
indicative of the interest you have always manifested in our 
several interviews for the welfare and comfort of the 
indigent poor under your charge. The cleanliness of the 
apartments of the inmates and of the institution in general, 
have not, I am sure, escaped the notice of the humane and 
Christian gentlemen who constitute your board, and will 
compare favorably with any almshouse in the State.
I have taken the liberty of writing you at this time these 
few lines of commendation as an expression of my 
appreciation of your unexceptionable abilities as a steward, 
and also to assure you it will give me great pleasure to be 
informed of your re-election to a position the duties of 
which yourself and wife have conscientiously discharged, 
Very truly yours.
Ands J Ourt

The Pittsburgh TIMES of yesterday contains this notice:  "It 
is expected that Governor Beaver will this week name the 
commission of three to revise the poor-laws of the State, in 
accordance with an act of the late legislature.  There is 
considerable speculation regarding the make-up of the 
commission.  Already half a hundred names have been sent to 
His Excellency.  A gentleman, one posted in charitable 
affairs, gave it as his opinion yesterday afternoon the 
Commission will be composed of R D McGonnigle of this city; 
John D Carr of Fayette county; and James Hall of 
Northumberland county.  The annual convention of poor 
directors of the State will be held in Altoona early next 
month, and it is probable the commission will hold their 
first meeting in that city at that time. McGonnigle and Carr 
are recognized as authority in poorhouse matters." He was 
elected on the democratic ticket, and took charge of the 
Asylum in April, 1885.  As noticed previously, he was 
re-elected in 1889 and is the present incumbent.  He served 
ten years as school director while at Fayette City, and was 
secretary of the board during that time with the exception 
of one year.  He served also as a member of the borough 
council for several years.
    In 1871 he was married to Miss Amanda M Cook of Fayette 
City, a daughter of James M Cook, then a farmer of the 
county, who now resides in Michigan.  They have seven 
children living; the eldest, Woods N Carr, for a few years 
past the brilliant young editor of the Uniontown NEWS, was 
born February, 1871, and is now attending school preparatory 
to entering the profession of the law.  The other children 
are: John D Carr, Jr, Charles H Carr, Walter Russell Carr, 
Edna E Carr, Ethel C Carr, and Katie B Carr.
    John D Carr's parents, Nicholas Carr and Catherine Burns 
Carr were natives of Ireland, who came to America when quite 
young and were married in this country.  Nicholas Carr was a 
man of strong mind and fine business qualifications.  He did 
a large business as a drover and cattle dealer, and died in 
1879 at the age of sixty nine years.  His wife died in 1868 
at the age of forty five years.
    John D Carr is a member of the Masonic Order, the 
Knights of Pythias, and of the Royal Arcanum.  He is P M of 
Masons, and member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
    John Carr possesses great force, energy and 
determination, and has that thorough-going disposition which 
takes right hold of great projects with both hands, and 
drives into thick and thin in spite of all obstacles and 
opposition, and generally accomplishes whatever he 
undertakes.
    In politics he is truly democratic and solely a democrat 
from instinct. There is none of the demagogue in his nature, 
nor of the "rule and ruin" policy.  He believes in no "milk 
and water" politics, but on the contrary is aggressive and 
favors hewing close to the line, letting the chips fall 
wherever they may.  He is of that class of men who, whenever 
and wherever placed as representatives of the people's 
interests, are always true to the trusts reposed with them, 
regardless of consequences.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2000.

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