Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Carr, W. J. |
Othernames |
Chief Carr / Will Carr |
Born |
Sept. 12, 1867 |
Birthplace |
Ontario |
Places of residence |
143 Baker Street, Owen Sound, Grey County 455 9th St. East, Owen Sound (9th Street formerly was Baker Street) |
Titles & honors |
Chief Carr |
Father |
Edward Carr ? (d. 1889) |
Mother |
Mary Carr (nee Casey, d. 1915)? |
Nationality |
Canadian |
Notes |
In 1890, two volunteer fire companies in the town of Owen Sound formed the Excelsior Fire Department (it was named after an insurance company). W. J. Carr joined the EFD in 18__. In addition to firefighting, the volunteers also put on social events such as oyster suppers and dances, and went on excursions. Their red shirts had "EFD" on them. Circa 1903-1905, W. J. Carr was a Fire Captain with them. On March 3, 1905, Mr. Carr learned that he was appointed to the Chiefship of the Excelsior Fire Department. At that time, the EFD presented him with an upholstered Morris Chair. This chair is now in the collection of the Grey Roots Museum & Archives. When he was Fire Chief in 1905, he was concerned about the "water famine" in town. Town council had shut off water to downtown shops, and residents of the town were rationed to 80 gallons per family. Chief Carr likely worried quite a lot about not having enough water on hand to fight fires. Chief Carr's annual report to Owen Sound Town Council in 1907 mentioned that in 1906, the Excelsior Fire Department were called out on forty-seven calls, twelve more than they attended in 1905. The worst fire of 1906 was the Albion Hotel stables fire in Owen Sound. A number of animals perished in it, and the structure could not be saved. The Excelsior Fire Department was officially disbanded on April 13 1907. The town now had a municipal fire service, not one provided by an insurance company. There were some paid personnel now, supported by volunteers. The Owen Sound Fire Department (OSFD) was the new name of the firefighting force. In 1909, George Baines was the Fire Chief at Owen Sound. William J. Carr and his wife Christina lived at 143 Baker Street. His birthdate was recorded in the 1901 census as Sept. 12, 1867. He died in 1937. His profession in the 1901 census was listed as Machinist. Christina was born 1877 (she died in 1948). It appears that 1889 was a difficult year for W. J. Carr, as the Carr burials at Greenwood Cemetery include Edward Carr (d. Aug. 23, 1889, age 53, of London, England), Elizabeth Carr died in 1889 age 28, and Margaret A. Carr died in 1889, age 30. In 1896, an Edward Carr passed away (age 27). In the 1913 Malone's Directory, the Carrs were at 455 9th St. East, and W. J. Carr was listed as a Machinist still. In 1902-1904 he also was listed as a Machinist. Further back, in the 1892 Rutherford's directory, there was a William Carr listed as a C.P.R. Brakeman. Their son Douglas Carr was a Merchant Marine, and as a young man, was a sailor on vessels coming in and out of Owen Sound harbour (he ended his career working at the Owen Sound grain elevator). Another son, Captain Earl Carr, was a Great Lakes Captain who sailed on the Tug Harrison and also worked with the Marathon Company. Earl married Verna Alice Hindman (of the Thomas Hindman family). One of the daughters of the family, Miss Margaret Carr, was a Registered Nurse at Owen Sound. |
Occupation |
Excelsior Fire Department (Volunteer Firefighter at Owen Sound) Fireman Fire Chief (1905-c.1907) Machinist C.P.R. Brakeman? |
Publications |
Christie, John, SIRENS ACROSS THE SOUND: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE OWEN SOUND FIRE DEPARTMENT, 2006 Croft, Melba Morris, GROWTH OF A COUNTY TOWN, PP. 43, 57, 81 |
Relationships |
Grandson: Arthur Carr Sister: Margaret J. Carr (1863-1943) Brother: Edward Carr (d. 1896, age 27) Sister: Elizabeth Carr (d. 1889, age 28) Sister: Mary A. Carr (d. 1889, age 30) |
Role |
Tradesperson |
Spouse |
Christina M Chalmers, m. 1___ |
Children |
William E. Carr (b. 1897--is this the same fellow as Edward?) Edward Carr (b. 1898-d. 1941) Earl Carr (b. 1902-d.1959), m. Verna Alice Hindman Douglas C. Carr (d. 1968), m. Eleanor Day Margaret E. Carr (1909-1985), Registered Nurse Christina Mary Carr (m. Archie Harvie/Harvey) Maurice Carr (later lived in Los Angeles) Malcolm Carr (later lived in Essex) |
