Captain William A. Handley

William A. Handley was born in 1834 to John Randolph and Nancy Formby in Georgia. After the Indian Removal Act, he and his family moved to Randolph County as the land became available. Mr.Handley worked as a mail carrier in Louina, as his family lived there. Not only did they come because of land but also the Alabama Gold Rush. He married Adelia Mitchell and they moved to Weslobulga. Later on, W.A. Handley entered into the Civil War and thus made him Captain W.A. Handley. He went and served in Mobile and Tennessee. He was discharged from the army for an injury. Adelia and Capt. Handley had three children that did not survive at birth and two that did. Railroads were very important to him because it helped transport goods to his businesses but, after the civil war the demand of goods were very low and his businesses did not get what they needed. They moved to Roanoke to begin new businesses and get this small town recognized. W.A. Handley valued education and made it a big priority in Roanoke. 110 years later and he has a school named after him! During his time, William A. Handley was, more than likely, one of the wealthiest men known. He used his wealth for good works and did not flaunt what he had. He built our small town into something bigger. He taught me to appreciate where I come from and the history of it. We all started from nothing and it took people like him to get us where we are today and for that I’m thankful.

At Captain W.A. Handley's gravesite.