John L. Livers
John Leo "Johnny" Livers was a prominent Charlottesville businessman in the 20th century. Livers played an important role in operation of the city's streetcar network and electric grid, was a key figure in the development of several city neighborhoods, and participated in a number of civic organizations.
Personal life
Livers was born in Gettsyburg, Pennslyvania in 1878.[1]
Livers was married to Olive Logan Livers of Woodstock, born January 20, 1882. A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Garden Club, Olive died on May 25, 1956. Together they had three children.[2][3] Their only son, John Logan Livers, took over the Red-Land Land Corporation in 1955, but died in 1959 at age 49 after an extended illness.[4]
They purchased 1211 West Main Street, today the Dinsmore House Inn, in 1913.[5]
In 1923, Livers announced his intention to move his primary residence to Ormond Beach, Florida, though he continued to summer in Charlottesville[6] and later returned as a permanent resident.[7]
Livers died on May 11, 1962 at age 83.[7]
Civic life
In 1917, during World War I, Livers organized the Albemarle chapter of the American Red Cross.[8] At the time he was also serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He also headed the local branch of the American Protective League, which "investigated offenders against the government."[7]
Livers served as treasurer and was once an active member of the Charlottesville Volunteer Fire Company.[7]
Livers played a leading part in the location of the Blue Ridge Sanatorium in Albemarle County, southeast of the city.[6]
Livers originated the idea for the Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark Statue, eventually catching the attention of Paul Goodloe McIntire who commissioned the statue.[6]
In the 1920s, Livers served on the Lewis and Clark Area Council, the regional Boy Scouts organization.
In 1933, Livers was secretary of the Virginia Commission for the Blind.[9] In October 1945, Livers was president of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.[10] He also served as the original vice president of the Children's Home of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.[7]
During World War II, Livers served on the Virginia Selective Service Board of Appeals No. 3, which decided cases of potential enlistees objecting to their draft classifications.[11]
In recognition of his public service, he was once presented a silver cup as First Citizen of Charlottesville.[7]
Livers served on the Charlottesville Planning Commission for four years,[7] until September 1944.[citation needed]
Business career
Beginning his career as a lineman at the age of eighteen, Livers worked in the construction field, then in operating and contracting, building more than 100 electric light & power plants over a twelve-year period.[1]
In 1912, Livers and his two partners, F.C. Todd and Norman James, purchased the Charlottesville and Albemarle Railway Company. In 1917 correspondence with City Council, Livers was listed as the Vice President and General Manager of the C&A Railway,[12] and was later elected president in 1921.[1]
Livers served on the board of directors of the National Bank and Trust Company when it was organized in 1914 and served as a vice president from 1915 to 1958.[7]
He spent seven years as president of the Charlottesville Silk Mill, which he helped to establish,[7] investing capital to sustain it.[6]
In 1923, the Electric Railway Journal reported that Livers had resigned as president and principal stockholder of the C&A Railway and as vice president of the Virginia Western Power Company. He continued as president and principal stockholder in the Red-Land Land Corporation, developers of the Jefferson Park and Meadowbrook Hills neighborhoods.[1]
According to a 1942 Supreme Court of Virginia case, Livers was a banker and an officer in a cement company in 1932.[13] He served as vice president of Massey Builders Supply Corporation of Richmond as well as vice president of cold storage facilities in Charlottesville and Richmond.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Web. Mr. Livers Resigns, Electric Railway Journal, December 29, 1923, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ Web. Obituaries: Mrs. John L. Livers, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 25, 1956, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ Web. Obituaries: Mrs. Olive Livers, Northern Virginia Daily, May 31, 1956, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ Web. J. Logan Livers Dies, Headed Land Firm, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 30, 1959, retrieved 2025-09-10.
- ↑ Web. Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Survey Form, Livers House, City of Charlottesville, March 1980, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Web. Mr. J. L. Livers to Change Residence, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, December 22, 1923, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Web. John Leo Livers Dies at 83; Active in Many Businesses, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 12, 1962, retrieved 2025-09-10.
- ↑ Web. Virginia Communities in War Time: Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville, New River Notes, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ Web. Letter from L. L. Watts, Executive Secretary, VA Commission for the Blind, Richmond, VA to Robert B. Irwin, Helen Keller Archive, American Foundation for the Blind, May 18, 1933, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ Web. Virginia Guide, Volume 72, Number 1, Library of Virginia, October 1, 1945, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ Web. Pursuits of War: The People of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia, in the Second World War, Albemarle County Historical Society, 1948, retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ↑ Web. Charlottesville City Council meeting minutes, .pdf, Council Chambers, City of Charlottesville, February 8, 1917.
- ↑ Web. Robins v. Massey, Supreme Court of Virginia, Free Law Project, January 19, 1942, retrieved 2025-09-09.