Weakley County Biographies William P. CARTER Source: The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin Counties, Illinois Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1893 pages 494 & 495, Nov. 1999 W.P. CARTER, proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable at Metropolis, Massac County,is a son of WILLIAM CARTER, who was a saddler by trade and came from Tennessee. The latter was married in that State to MARY A. LAWLER, also a native of Tennessee. They both died there when the subject of this sketch was a small boy. They left three children, viz: JAMES M., now living in Kentucky; WILLIAM P., and JOSEPH B., of Memphis, Tenn. WILLIAM P. was born in Tennessee and was for the most part brought up on a farm. He, however, received a fair education in the common schools, but was obliged early in life, on account of the death of his parents, to make his own way in the world. When fifteen years old, he commenced as a clerk in a grocery in Tennessee, remaining thus engaged four years. Being a bright boy and quick, obliging and an accurate observer, he made considerable progress in learning the practical part of the business. He then removed to Paducah, KY., remained one and one- half years, and then went to Williamson County, Ill., where he was engaged in farming three years. Here he was married,November 29, 1874,to MARTHA HILL, a native of Williamson County. After her death he married, in 1888, MINTA SMITH, a native of Tennessee, whose parents removed from that State to Williamson County and continued in their previous occupation, that of farming and raising stock. Mr. SMITH was quite largely engaged in buying and selling cattle, horses and mules, and was a very successful trader in that line. Mr. CARTER removed to Vienna, Johnson County, in January 1890, bought an interest in a livery business, and remained there two years, when he removed to Metropolis, having in the meantime in Vienna built up a good business and erected a substantial brick livery, which he traded for a farm. This farm upon his removal to Metropolis he sold to Dr. MCCALL. In Metropolis he bought a lot advantageously situated for his business and erected the barn which he now occupies with T.A. BIVINS as partner. This firm owns good stock and is receiving its share of the trade of the city and vicinity. By his first wife, Mr. CARTER had seven children, viz: LYDIA, THOMAS, HERBERT, MYRON, ERNEST, NANNIE and MAMIE, all of whom are at home. By his second wife he has one child, WILLIE, at home. Politically, Mr. CARTER is a Democrat, and he is also an Odd Fellow. He is one of the self-made men of southern Illinois. What he has accumulated has been without assistance and by his own industry and good management. Transcribed and submitted by Linda Overby-Hedge, who adds: "This William P. Carter was the son of William D. Carter and Mary Ann Lawler (Mary Ann Lawler/Carter is the daughter of Martin Lawler read last will and testament ) William P. Carter was born February 28, 1854 in Weakley County, Tennessee and died March 13, 1936 in Calloway County, Kentucky. William P. Carter's brother James Martin Carter was my GGGrandfather, he was born December 26, 1851 in Weakley Tennessee and died April 22, 1934 in Calloway County, Kentucky . William P. Carter and James Martin Carter had a brother Joseph B. Carter born June 6, 1857 and died February 12, 1940. They were raised by their grandmother Nancy A. (Davis) Lawler and their Aunts there in Weakley County, Tennessee" © Genealogy Trails 2007 Contributors retain all copyrights