Carr -- George W. - 1892
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Friday 27 May 1892
Col. George W. Carr, aged 84 years, died this morning shortly after five o’clock at the residence of his son, ex-mayor, W. C. Carr. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at one o’clock at his old home in Medora, Jackson County, the family leaving here with the remains tomorrow afternoon after short services at the house by Rev. G. W. Switzer.
George Whitefield Carr was born October 7, 1807 in Clark County, this state. He passed his youth amid the hardships of pioneer life and during his early life removed to Lawrence County. He took an active part in politics as a Democrat of the old school and in 1838 was elected to the State Legislature there held in office until appointed registrar of the land office at Jeffersonville in 1852. during his services in the legislature, Mr. Carr was one of the most prominent members of the House and was the leader of the Democratic party. In the winter of 1849-50 the great constitutional convention of Indiana was held and Mr. Carr was the president, presiding over the momentous deliberations with rare judgment and discretion. When the land office was abolished in 1854 he removed to his grandfather’s old homestead near Medora, Jackson County. In 1861 he abandoned the Democratic Party and became a Republican, so thoroughly was he to the Union. In 1862 he organized the 93rd regiment of Indiana volunteers, being elected its lieutenant-colonel. He served until June 14, ’63, when at Vicksburg his health gave away completely and he was obliged to return to his home. He had never been well since and passed his life quietly at Medora, until his wife died in 1886 when he came to this city to live with his son. He retained his residence in Jackson County, however, and returned there in all the important elections to cast his vote for the Republican candidates.
In 1872 he was the Republican candidate for Congress, from the third district, but was of course, unable to overcome the overwhelming Democratic majority.
Col. Carr was a member of McPherson Post, G.A.R., of this city. He was in all things a typical American and intensely loyal in all things to the country he loved so well. He was subject to much hardship in his life, being reared in the state when it was a perfect wilderness. He was one of the few remaining links which connect us with the past heroic history of Hoosierdom. His life was simple and his deeds were good and he leaves behind him a life noted for its worthiness, patriotism and rugged worth.
Source: Weekly Argus News, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana June 4, 1892 p 6
Col. George W. Carr died at 5:35 o'clock this morning at the residence of his son, ex-mayor W.C. Carr, after several weeks illness of a complication of diseases, aged 85 years. George Whitfield Carr was born in Clark County, Indiana, Oct 7, 1807 and was the first white male born in the state. His parents moved from Clark to Lawrence County where the subject of this sketch lived a frontier life acquiring such education as the times and locality afforded.
In 1838 he was elected to the state legislature, serving continuously for 10 years. At the close of his last term he was elected a member of the state constitutional convention and was further honored by being elected president of the convention.
In 1852 he was appointed receiver of public monies at Jeffersonville, which office he held until 1856, when he returned to the old homestead near Medora, Jsckson County, where he engaged in farming, the while taking an active part in politics. In 1858 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress against McKee Dunn, being defeated, the district being strongly Republican.
In 1860, after Lincoln's election he became a Republican and remained so until his death. DUring July and August of 1862, he organized the 93d Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and in September following the regiment went to the front and was assigned to the department of the Mississippi, with Mr. Carr Lt. Col. On June 14th during the siege of Vicksburg, Col. Carr resigned on account of sickness and returned to his home, the disease contracted in the service being the primary cause of his death. He remained active in politics after his return from the army and was again nominated for congress but this time the district being hopelessly Democratic was again defeated. He remained on the farm until 1886 when his wife died, since which time he has made his home with his son, ex-mayor, W.C. Carr in this city. He leaves 5 children, two sons and three daughters, Wm. C. and George W. Carr, Jr; Mrs. Simeon Smithof Newberry, Ind; Mrs. Uriah Coulson of Sullivan, Ind and Mrs. Mary Speer of Erie, Ind.
The funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon interment in Heighten Hill Cemetery,near Medora. Short services will beheld at the residence of ex-Mayor Carr at 11:30 o'clock tomorrow forenoon by Rev. Switzer. The remains will be taken to Medora via the Big 4 tomorrow leaving here at 1:12 o'clock p.m. -- typed by kbz