John Carr

JOHN CARR. - Noteworthy for his intelligence, good citizenship and high moral character, John Carr, who has held the office of jailor at Kansas City, Kansas, for the past two years, is eminently deserving of special mention in a work of this kind. A native of Denmark, he was born May 15, 1857, and was there reared and educated.

Leaving his native country in 1868, John Carr came by way of an English steamer to the United States, landing in Portland, Maine, after a sea voyage of twenty-seven days. He continued his journey to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he had friends awaiting him, and soon found employment as water boy on a construction train. While thus working he attended night school, advancing his education by diligent study. He afterward became engine wiper in one of the round houses on the Missouri Pacific Railway, and as soon as old enough began firing on that road. At the end of four years as a fireman, Mr. Carr spent four months in Denmark, visiting his many friends and relatives, on his return to this country resuming his former position with the railway company. Four months later, Mr. Carr went to California, locating first in Sacramento, and from there going to Vacaville, where he remained five years, being employed on a ranch four years and working for Mr. Dobbins a year. He was subsequently employed on a fruit farm in the Sacramento valley for a while, from there returning to Kansas City, Kansas.

The following four years Mr. Carr was car repairer for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, after which he had charge of the car department of the Fowler Packing Company for sixteen years. Resigning from that position, he worked as a carpenter for a time, and has since been identified with municipal affairs, having served as city jailor the past two years.

While living in Vacaville, California, Mr. Carr joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but has since been transferred to the lodge in Kansas City, Kansas, in which he has passed all the chairs and which he has represented at the Grand Lodge. He is a charter member of Franklin Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he has held all the offices.

Mr. Carr married, in Kansas City, Kansas, May 4, 1881, Mollie J. Johnson, who was born in Denmark, a daughter of H. Johnson. Four children have been born to Mr. and. Mrs. Carr, namely: Mary J., wife of Carl Hausen, of Riverview; Nels J., living at home; John M., a switchman for the Union Pacific Railroad Company; and a little daughter who lived but fourteen months.