W.A. Handley

Today while walking in the footsteps of W.A. Handley I realized that he brought a lot more than just business to our small town of Roanoke. His family moved to Roanoke after the Indian Removal Act which made more land available. The Handley’s were first attracted to Randolph County by the Gold Rush. W.A. hoped to start a successful business and made an attempt but it ended in failure. In 1861, he joined the war and soon became captain of the Alabama 25th Infantry. He had some health problems throughout his time as captain and would take periods off from the war. He was later wounded in a battle in Tennessee and never fully recovered. He then decided to quit the war and go home to his wife. When W.A. and his wife Adelia move to Roanoke and began their business in which he needed the use of the railroad. The railroad made it easier for him to send and receive supplies. Handley also believed that education was very important. So important that after the first school burned he donated land and money for a new school to be built. Handley lived by the meaning of Gospel of Wealth, he had plenty of land and money and didn’t mind helping those in need. W.A. Handley truly was an inspiration. Overall what I learned from W.A. was that even if you don’t come from much you can become successful and give back.

This picture is of W.A. Handley's grave. This kind of just shows how important he was to Roanoke.