People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

John Carr (1870–1929)

This article was published:

John Carr (1870-1929) waterside worker, trade unionist and politician 

Birth: 15 July 1870 at Port Adelaide, South Australia, son of Thomas Carr, mariner, and Maria, née Hunt. Marriage: 7 September 1893 at Port Adelaide to Margaret Thomas (1873-1929). They had three sons and one daughter. Death: 6 June 1929 at Port Adelaide. Religion: Methodist. 

  • Educated at Port Adelaide Public School. Became secretary of the Port Adelaide Storemen’s Union, local secretary of the Federated Marine Cook’s Association and of secretary of the Port Adelaide Co-operative Accident Relief Society. Active in Port Adelaide branch of Waterside Workers’ Federation.
  • His father had been one of the founders of the Port Adelaide Working Men’s Association, and John was its corresponding secretary from 1903 to 1915, and thrice president. The association later became a branch of the Waterside Workers’ Association.
  • Joined the United Labour Party at Port Adelaide on its inauguration and was sometime assistant secretary, vice-president and president of the branch. Elected unopposed to South Australian Legislative Council for central district No. 1. on 12 March 1915. Held the seat until his death.
  • Appointed Justice of the Peace. Was president of the Port Adelaide Football Association and also secretary for two years of the West Torrens Football Club, later affiliated with the South Australian League.
  • His brother Frederick Alfred Carr (1883-1941) was long-time secretary of the Port Adelaide branch of the Waterside Workers’ Federation.

Sources
Howard Coxon, John Playford and Robert Reid, Biographical Register of the South Australian Parliament 1857-1957 (Adelaide, 1985)

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • profile, Register (Adelaide), 13 March 1915, p 12
  • profile, Port Adelaide News (SA), 8 April 1921, p 1

Citation details

'Carr, John (1870–1929)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/carr-john-32964/text41071, accessed 8 November 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

John Carr

John Carr

Chronicle (Adelaide), 13 June 1929, p 50

Life Summary [details]

Birth

15 July, 1870
Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Death

6 June, 1929 (aged 58)
Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Cause of Death

stroke

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Education
Occupation or Descriptor
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces