James A. Carriger was mayor of Morristown in 1893. He was the son of Dr. Michael Carriger and Sarah Jack Carriger, both of Morristown. He was born in Tazewell on November 30, 1845, but grew up in Morristown. He served the Confederacy as a soldier during the Civil War.
In 1870 James Carriger graduated from the University of Virginia. He then became a school teacher who taught, I believe, at the old Reagan High School in Morristown. (I believe that high school in those days meant that higher grades were included, not that this was a four year modern high school.)
He was also an attorney, and was President of the Merchant's Bank for several years, and also served on the Board of Education. I wonder if the old Carriger Junior High building was named after him.
Carriger married Julia Lenoir. They had six children, Sarah, Kitty, Adelaide, Albert, Paul and James. The three sons moved to the west. His brother, John Carriger was also mayor of Morristown.
James A. Carriger died at his home on East Second North Street in Morristown on May 23, 1930. He was buried at Jarnigan Cemetery.