JOHN T. LOVING
John T. LOVING, Pioneer Mayor, Also Served in State Legislature
- Built Community During Most Trying Years Of Development Era
"He was one of the most likeable men I ever knew." This
comment on the personality of John T. LOVING, mayor of Pulaski
in those trying years when the town was having its first "growing
pains," is only one of the many compliments paid him by men
who were his associates.
A native of Nelson county, Mayor LOVING came to Pulaski in the
late 1880's and in a few years had made many staunch friends.
He was engaged in the real estate business and during the land
boom there in 1892 he was elected mayor. He served in this office
until 1904. Two years later he was re-elected for another term
and in 1910 he again took over the office, serving until his death
in 1915.
Several Offices
When Mayor LOVING first became head of the town government, his
office was located in the old Loan and Trust building still standing
at the corner of Valley and Commerce streets. Later the office
was moved to Hotel Pulaski, where Mayor LOVING also made his residence,
living on the same floor with a number of town's bachelors. Mayor
LOVING was a widower with three sons, however, his wife having
died before he moved to Pulaski.
Among the many accomplishments of Mayor LOVING's administration
were the building of the first sewage system in town and the erection
of the county courthouse. The courthouse which was completed in
1895, was constructed with town funds and presented by Pulaski
to the county.
Served At Capital
Mayor Loving did not confine his political activities to the local
scene, however, serving a number of years as engrossing clerk
for the Virginia House of Delegates in Richmond. When the general
assembly convened, he secured a leave of absence from his duties
in Pulaski for the duration of the session. Mayor LOVING's position
in the state capital was a responsible one, his immediate superior
being the late Col. John L. WILLIAMS, of Giles county.
Two of the men who served under the mayor were W. W. CAVE, long
treasurer of the town, and Sheriff C. E. BONES, who was then chief
of the Pulaski police. Both of these men remember Mayor LOVING
as a generous and kind hearted gentleman who was willing to do
anything in his power to help a friend. He was noted for the efficiency
with which he conducted the town's affairs. A fine looking man
with a dark gray mustache, he lent dignity to his office.
When Pulaski county celebrates its "100 years of progress"
this week, Mayor LOVING will be one of the men honored for his
business and administrative ability and his courteous, genial
personality, the memory of which has persisted long after his
death.
The above article appeared in the 1939 Centennial Edition of the
SW Times