Captain WA Handley was an honorable man who is credited with not only helping Roanoke and Randolph County, but all of Alabama and even America. His life played a part in many aspects of American History. He served our nation as a member of the US House of Representatives from 1871-1873 and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He also served in the Alabama House and Senate. He was a captain in the Alabama 25th during the Civil War, and after receiving an injury, worked as a tax collector who gathered supplies for the Confederacy. He largely contributed to the industrialization of Roanoke with his Mill Town and many businesses in the area, including a hotel. He is largely credited with bringing the central railroad to pass through Randolph County. His family first moved to Louina when land became available during the Indian Removal Act. His father panned for gold in a spot similar to the one I have attached a picture of that we went to today. Captain Handley was a wealthy man, but always gave generously to schools and churches and to the betterment of the community. He donated lots of money and land to ensure that Roanoke citizens were receiving a good education from their schools. He never acted above anyone, and I learned that even though I am from a small town like Roanoke, I can still make an impact on my community and the nation. I also learned that financial status is not a limit to what a person can achieve, and that it is always better to be humble and generous than stuck up.
This is a picture of the spot where we panned for gold today, similar to the spot where Captain Handley's father would have panned for gold.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
A Walk In The Footsteps of W.A Handley
Captain William Anderson Handley and his family moved from Georgia to Randolph County during the Indian Removal Act when land opened up and this was also during the Alabama Gold Rush, which was also what attracted the family and others to this area. The Railroad Industry was very prosperous during this time and Mr. Handley became a very successful businessman, but later on his business along with many others went out of business because the Civil War stopped the goods from being transferred by the railroad, so he moved to Roanoke to open a new business. His business prospered and he was one of the wealthiest men in Roanoke. He gave land for schools, business and even railroads to be built on and his legacy of generosity and his name will live on in the heart of this town for many, many more years to come. His story taught me that even if I come from a small town like Roanoke, Alabama I can still make something of myself and live to have a prosperous life.
W.A. Handley
Today I got the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the man that paved the way for Roanoke Al and surrounding cities. William A. Handley and family moved from Liberty Hill GA to Louina after the Indian Removal Act because land became available. The Gold Rush attracted them to this certain spot. He was always a very hard working man which played a huge part in him becoming a very successful business man. The Railroad was major for Cap. Handley because it brought goods to his business. He entered the War in 1861, he was not in the best health so was often sent home to recover. When he would come home to recover his wife would get pregnant. All three babies died and are buried in Louina. He was later discharged and came home to Louina. When the civil war was over the Railroad stopped bringing goods so he went bankrupt. So Cap. Handley moves to Roanoke where he plays a big role in getting the Railroads to extend there so he could continue in business. W.A. Handley took pride in education and did everything in his power to bring the best facilities and staff to a small town like roanoke. Mr. Handley was very wealth but never stood higher than the ordinary man. He showed me to love my town, take pride in who i am and where i’m from, and to make this little town the best it can be.
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(W.A. Handley’s Grave Site)
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(W.A. Handley’s Grave Site)
Captain W.A. Handley
Captain W.A Handley name, will forever stand powerful, not only to the community of Randolph County but across the nation. Captain W.A Handley, was born in Liberty Hill, Ga with the parents of John Handley and Nancy Formby. Captain Handley, later moved to Louina for many years and as a little boy he worked as a mail rider. As time passed, he later married Adelia MItchell. Captain W.A. became a very successful businessman. In 1863, Captain Handley came to Roanoke and later started a new businesses. Captain Handley wealth’s grew, and he decided to build railroads so they could be used for transporting goods and travelers. W.A. Handley also offer land to expand the smaller school so that they could improve the facility, education, and growth. The Alabama rush directed everyone’s attention to settle in this area. Captain W.A Handley was a wise man who used money wisely to help his community, family, and friends. And today, we say thank you!
In the Footsteps of WIlliam A Handley
After the Indian Removal Act passed, Captain Handley and his family moved from Georgia to Randolph County as the land in the area became more readily available. The Gold Rush brought a place to live for family and other folks. Captain Handley was a very successful and rich man who had a big heart for other people. Without the Railroad Industry, the economic standpoint of Alabama would have been a huge failure, but Captain Handley positively benefited the community. The transfer of goods from place to place was brought to a halt due to the Cold War which put a toll on Captain Handley's business. After Captain Handley's business went bankrupt, he moved to Roanoke to start a new life, and a new business. After making a boom in his business, Captain Handley contributed to the schools and made them into a better, more productive system. Making a place for kids to learn was a dream of captain Handleys, and he really just wanted the best for his fellow townspeople. Captain Handley is the reason we all live in Roanoke today. He benefited our society in so many ways and without him, we would not have the successful school system as we do today.
This was when we were standing in two counties at one time. That's a check off my bucket list.
Captain William A. Handley came from Georgia after the Indian Removal Act; this made more land available to many wealthy citizens. The Alabama Gold Rush had brung a lot of people because everyone wants to be wealthy and didn’t care how they got it; so his family wanted it also. The railroad helped by transferring goods that his business made to go to the Cold War veterans. After the Cold War, he went out of business because he really didn’t have any customers. He gave land so schools could be built because he thought education was so important in the city. He cared about the future of the city so he gave land for schools because he was generous to think about the people that he don’t know, and wanted them to have a great education. I can learn a lot from him but the biggest thing is to never give up even when the roughest time comes. When something goes there is a new opportunity that you have to find. Also, don't be stingy with your money; you never know if how much it might mean to someone else like us. If he didn't give land so the school could be built; Some of us wouldn't have a great education that we have.
Captain Handley
W.A. Handley and his family moved from Georgia to Randolph County after the Indian Removal Act made land in the area available. The Alabama Gold Rush attracted the family, and others, to settle in the area. Mr. Handley became a successful business man in his early years. The Railroad Industry was very vital to the economy during this time. Later on, the Cold War stopped the transfer of goods by the railroads. This prevented business, like W.A. Handley's, from getting the materials they needed. Mr. Handley's business soon went bankrupt and he moved to Roanoke to start a new business. Captain Handley's wealth grew and he brought a railroad to Roanoke and established schools for the city. Mr. Handley valued education and wanted to help provide places to learn for the small town. W.A. Handley was a wealthy man who looked to help others, and didn't flaunt his money around. Captain Handley's story taught me that even though I come from a small town, I still can make an impact in the world.
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