Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and   representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States.  Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893.  Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

JOSEPH CARTER. Among the substantial and well-to-do farmers of Assumption Township is this gentleman, who is one of the honored old settlers of Christian County. He is well and favorably known in this and adjoining counties, and merits in a high degree the respect in which he is held by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He has assisted very materially in the marvelous growth and prosperity of the community in which he made his home, and it is fitting that his name should placed in this record of the honored pioneers of the county. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, born in Warren County September 26, 1832, and is a son of John Carter, a native of Virginia. The latter went to Ohio in his early manhood, and then married Miss Jemima Patton, whose birth occurred in the Buckeye State. For several years after his marriage, Mr. Carter engaged in farming in Warren County with good success, and then removed to Indiana, settling in Clay County, twelve miles east of Terre Haute. Here he opened up a farm, and reared his family to lives of usefulness. The last few years of his life he lived retired from active duties in Greencastle, and passed away in 1865. During the War of 1812, he was pressed into the service and was assigned to the department of artillery. Joseph Carter is one of a family of seven sons and two daughters. The brothers, who all grew to mature years, married and became heads of families. One brother, C. N., now resides in Kansas City, and is a retired merchant. The only other surviving brother is Jasper N., who is engaged in farming in Neosho County, Kan. Our subject grew to manhood in Indiana, and spent his youth on his father's farm, receiving there a practical experience in all the duties which fall to an agriculturist and which have served him in good stead in later years. In his studies he was diligent and made the most of his advantages in that direction. He remained with his father until he had arrived at his majority, after which he learned the carpenter's trade at Greencastle and followed that calling for a few years. He then formed a partnership with three of his brothers, and engaged in the flouring and grist mill business. In this he continued for about five years with very good success. In the fall of 1866, he came to Illinois and bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land, the same farm which he now cultivates. He erected a small house and brought his family to his new home. When he first settled here nothing whatever had been done for the improvement of the land, and as it stands to-day, a model farm with good buildings, neat hedges and other improvements, it is a monument to his own industrious efforts, for it bears little resemblance to the original farm on which he located. In 1867, he bought an adjoining forty acres, thus making his farm contain one hundred and sixty acres. There is a good orchard on the place and the fields are subdivided by a well-trimmed osage hedge. Mr. Carter also owns a good farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres in Shelby County, two small farms in Neosho County, Kan., besides a house and lot in Assumption. In 1860 occurred the marriage of Mr. Carter in Greencastle, Ind. The lady of his choice, whose maiden name was Harriet M. Sever, was a native of England and passed her girlhood in that country. Two children have graced this union. Warren, the elder, is deceased; and Elmer E. is assisting his father in carrying on the home farm. The mother died in 1884. She was an amiable and thoroughly lovable lady, who numbered many friends in the neighborhood of her home. Politically, Mr. Carter has ever supported the Republican party and principles since becoming a voter. He is an advocate of the best educational measures and served for nine years as a member of the School Board. For over a quarter of a century he has been a resident of this county, and has promoted its interests in every possible manner. He is honored and respected by his friends and neighbors as a man of integrity and sterling worth.

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