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Note: Most of his siblings born in Clay Co. KY but he was born in KS where his mother had moved to be near father, who was in federal penite tiary because of alleged irregularities related to his job as a "whiskey gauger", apparently some type of alcohol tax official. They returned to Clay Co. and then to Laurel Co. where father Pleas had purchased a large farm about 1 mile south of London. Apparently grew up on a farm near Portersburg, KY on Little Goose Creek in Clay County. Attended Cumberland College, Williamsburg, KY, but did not graduate. Early job was as bookkeeper with Bond Coal Co. in either East Bernstadt or Bond, KY. Became telegrapher trainee for L&N RR Co. at East Bernstadt, KY, then worked as fireman for the same RR. Obtained engineer's ticket but never was employed as such. Was fired for participation in organizing the Brotherhood of Trainmen, the first railroad union. Followed in his father's footsteps and became travelling dry goods salesman for Carter Dry Goods Co., his father's employer also. He also worked in a mercantile store owned by his father and a partner in London, KY. He then became employed in the industry in which he spent most of his adult life, that of traveling salesman for hardware jobbers. He sold for such firms as Kruse Hdw., Cincinnati; Van Deren Hdw., Lexington, KY; Stratton Terstegge Hdw., Louisville; and Louisville Tin & Stove Co. During the depression, for a time did very well being regularly employed. However lost his job, probably due as much to alcoholism as the depression. Went to work again for Louisville Tin & Stove, but WW II began and was unable to fill orders, so went to work in the defense industry. First went to work for DuPont's Charlestown, IN powder plant in 1942 as a security guard where he remained until 1944. Transferred to the DuPont Louisville Works where neoprene synthetic rubber was being manufactured. There he was employed as a supply clerk, utilizing the knowledge and skills acquired through his years in the hardware business. He remained there until his retirement in 1953 or 54. DuPont had a mandatory retirement policy at age 65, but Carl had to obtain a birth cer- tificate by affidavit when he first went to work for that co. and, out of vanity, had set his age back a couple of years. So although he worked until age 67 he was short by only a few months of having sufficient time with the company to share in their pension plan. After going on Social Security, he worked at various part-time jobs: clerk in a liquor store; janitor in a church; and a full-time job as engineer at the Marine Hospital in Louisville, where he resided. Aghast at the thought of not receiving his Social Security payment by earning more than the maximum (which he would do at the hospital) he quit that job. He never was employed again. After quitting work he occupied his time gardening and drinking. He had a unique illness in the late 50s or early 60s when he was hospitalized at San Anthony's Hospital because of progressive weakness in his lower extremities. He was a diagnostic problem, but his paraparesis progressed to a transverse myelopathy at a midthoracic level. Dr. Edw. Terrell, a neurologist, persuaded the neurosurgeon, Dr. Ludwig Seegerberg (junior partner of Spurling and Grantham) to operate. At surgery a simple lipoma, about 2 or 3 cm in diameter was found compressing the spinal cord. He was unable to walk for several weeks and then for months after that required crutches. He went for a protracted visit with his son in London, where he perservered in his efforts to walk and by the end of 3 or 4 months was walking unaided. He was back to hunting by another year. In the mid 60s he moved back to London where he bought a house in partner- ship with his son, on Jackson Street between Dixie St. and First St.. where he lived until his death. He returned to gardening and enjoyed many hours of conversation with the Rev. Bill Brown, pastor of the Presbyterian Church on Dixie St. behind whose property he tilled his garden. He continued hunting, quit drinking as he had cigarette smoking years before, suddenly, and continued enjoying his gardens.
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