John C. Carr (mayor)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John C. Carr | |
|---|---|
| City Manager of Medford, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1961–1962 | |
| Preceded by | Edward J. Conroy |
| Succeeded by | Howard Reed |
| Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party | |
| In office 1949–1956 | |
| Preceded by | James H. Vahey Jr. |
| Succeeded by | William H. Burke, Jr. |
| 13th Mayor of Medford, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1938–1943 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Irwin |
| Succeeded by | George L. Callahan (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1891 or 1892 |
| Died | June 27, 1967 (aged 75) Medford, Massachusetts |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | John C. Carr, Jr. |
| Profession | Insurance |
John C. Carr (1891/1892 – June 27, 1967) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Medford, Massachusetts, Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, and City Manager of Medford.
Carr was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and raised in Charlestown. He was the seventh of thirteen children born to Frank and Bridget (Berkeley) Carr, Irish immigrants who met and married in the United States.[1][2] At the age of 21 he passed a civil service examination and got a job as a teller's clerk in the Boston Collectors office.[2] During World War I, Carr served in the United States military.[3] He married Florence Brennan in 1915.[1][4] Two years later they moved to Medford.[3] Their children include John C. Carr, Jr., who ran for US congress in 1952.
Board of Aldermen
In 1931, Carr was elected to the Medford Board of Aldermen. He moved to Hartford, Connecticut, for business the following year, however he later returned to Medford and served two more terms on the Board.[1] While on the Board, Carr led the effort to eradicate diphtheria in the city.[2]
Mayor
Carr was elected mayor in 1937 in a non-partisan election. He was reelected in 1939 and 1941 as a member of the Democratic Party. During Carr's tenure, the city undertook a building program that replaced the city's final four wooden schools with modern structures and added a 2400-seat auditorium to the High School. He also left Medford with a surplus while maintaining the same tax rate the city had when he entered office.[1]
In 1940, Carr ran for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He lost the Democratic primary to Owen A. Gallagher by 78 votes. Two years later, Carr won the nomination unopposed, but lost in the general election to Republican incumbent Horace T. Cahill.[2]
During his final term, Carr resigned to enter the armed forces.[5] During World War II, Carr rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and served as Military Governor of Manila and Tacloban.[1][3]
He was the Democratic nominee for mayor in 1947, but lost to incumbent Walter E. Lawrence by 808 votes.[6]