from "Representative Men & Old Families of RI", 1908:
pp. 1924-1925.
"Hon. George Cross CARR, deceased, who for many years was closely identified
with the public and business interests of Jamestown, R.I., was born in that
town, Dec. 22, 1818, son of John and Mary (Cross) Carr. A record of the
Carr family will be found elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Carr acquired his education in the schools of Jamestown, and at
Washington Academy, Wickford, R.I. Reared amid agricultural pursuits, the
vocation of his forefathers for generations, he continued in the same
throughout his lifetime, and with such measure of success as his fine
possessions for years would indicate. After his school days were at an end
he began farming operations on his own account, associated in the same with
his uncle, the late Thomas Carr, and upon land which was first acquired by
his ancestor, the first Caleb Carr, in 1638, and which has come down by
inheritance through successive generations to his uncle Thomas, on the death
of the latter, in 1837, coming to himself. Thereafter, through the lifetime
of George C. Carr, this was his home.
Mr. Carr as the years came and went ever kept abreast of the time. He
possessed that fitness for public life which seems to come to some men by
inheritance, as it were. He was in his early life a Whig and later became
and continued a Republican. As early as 1844, under the new constitution,
he was first elected a member of the State Senate. He was again elected to
that body in 1853. He was for years a member and president of the Jamestown
town council. He was active and prominent in town affairs, taking great
interest in all measures which in his judgment seemed to him to tend toward
the development of the town and for the welfare of the people. He was ever
ready with both his influence and means to aid in bringing about good works,
all worthy enterprises finding in him a willing supporter. Mr. Carr was one
of the leading spirits in organizing the Ocean Highland Land Company, of
Conanicut Island, and for some years was its president, being also at one
time president of the Newport Steam Ferry Company. He was one of the
promoters of the water and light service in Jamestown, and did much toward
building up the town, where he was respected and esteemed by all who knew him.
In 1850 Mr. Carr was married to Sarah C. Anthony, daughter of Rev. George
Anthony, of Jamestown, and they had two children, John Anthony and Thomas,
the latter of whom died young. Mr. Carr died Aug. 27, 1900, his wife
passing away April 4th of that year, and after fifty years of married life
they were not separated in death, both being buried in the Cedar cemetery,
Jamestown.
John Anthony CARR, son of Hon. George Cross Carr, was born on the homestead,
Sept. 27, 1852, and was educated in the public schools of the town. Until
his father's death he worked for the latter on the farm, where he is still
making his home, being engaged in agricultural pursuits and in sheep
raising. Mr. Carr prefers to give his whole attention to his farming
interests, not caring for public life. He is a Republican in politics, but
does not let party ties influence his choice of candidates, his vote being
always cast for the man whom he thinks best fitted for the office.
On Dec. 12, 1900, Mr. Carr was married Caroline Amelia Berg, a native of
Copenhagen, Denmark, and one child, Catherine Amelia, has been born to this
union. In the summer of 1907, Mr. Carr, his wife and their little daughter,
took a trip to Europe, visiting Mrs. Carr's home and many other points of
interest. In the old homestead of the Carrs are to be found many
interesting heirlooms and relics of former days, and prominent among these
is an old family Bible, which was owned by Gov. Caleb Carr, published in the
early part of the sixteenth century, and which has been handed down from
generation to generation to its present owner."
[portrait of George C. Carr]
* * * * * *
from James N. Arnold, Vital Record of Rhode Island
Jamestown marriages:
George C Carr m Sarah Catherine Anthony on 5 Dec 1849.
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Beth Hurd
Johnston, RI USA
beth(a)the-hurds.com
http://www.the-hurds.com
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