City: Knoxville
CARSON, William Waller, civil engineer; born near Natchez, Miss., June 2, 1845; English, Scotch-Irish and Huguenot descent; son of James Green and Catherine (Waller) CARSON of Louisiana; father’s occupation cotton planter; paternal grandparents, Col. Joseph and Caroline C. (Green) CARSON of Alabama, maternal grandparents, William SMITH, and Catherine (Breckinridge) WALLER of Kentucky; taught by private tutors before the war; studied at Washington College Va., (now Washington & Lee University) after the war; graduated from Washington college in civil engineering in 1868, mining engineering in 1869; in 1873-4 a student in Chemical Laboratory of School of Mines, Columbia College, N.Y.; married Rachel FINNIE of Memphis Dec. 23, 1880; member of Fred Ault Camp No. 5 U.C.V., American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineering Association of the South, Society for Promotion of Engineering Education, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Cherokee Country Club, Appalachian Club; private, finally Sergeant-Major, 4th La. Cavalry, C.S.A., 1863-5; professor of Mathematics Davidson College, N.C., 1877-1883; has been engineer on various railroads and other public work; professor of Civil Engineering, University of Tenn., since 1885; member of 1st Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, Tenn.
