Through the Footsteps of William A. Handley

William A. Handley was born in Heard County, GA but later moved to Randolph County, AL when the Indian Removal Act forced natives to clear out the land. The main reason him and his family came however was with the Alabama Gold Rush, and it was abundant in these areas. Handley was started working young as a mail runner and opened his own business in current day Cragford, AL. However,  he fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War and was appointed Captain of the 25th Alabama Regiment. He was wounded and discharged and went back to his home and back to his business. Handley then moved to Roanoke and became a prominent businessman and owned many businesses, some of which the Handley Hotel and Handley Mills, which required the railroad to bring in supplies and ship out the products. Handley was huge on education and the upbringing of children. He was a key part of the opening of the Roanoke Normal College and made many donations to schools around Roanoke, which is why our school today is named after W.A. Handley. Handley believed in giving back to the less fortunate and believing in everyone, which is why he donated lots of money and was so humble(he did not flaunt his money). We can learn many lessons from Captain William A. Handley such as to give back and to believe in everyone, which he did by expressing his thought that it didn't matter where you came from but you can go wherever you want as long as you put forth the effort.

This is a place where people went in search for gold, just like the Handley family.