Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Carter, Abraham C 1818 - 1876
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Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

ABRAHAM C. CARTER.

Among the honored pioneers who aided in the development and improvement of 
Grundy county in the days of its early settlement none is more worthy of 
representation in this volume than Abraham C. Carter. Though deceased, the 
influence of his honorable and upright life and the memory of his industrious 
career is still felt by those who knew him. His life was quiet and uneventful 
in a manner, yet at all times he was found faithful to his duty, and was one 
of the most respected citizens of Mazon township.

A native of the Buckeye state, his birth occurred in Belmont county, Ohio, 
October 17, 1818, his parents being Henry and Sarah (Cuppy) Carter. His father 
was a pioneer of Belmont county, removing to that place from Maryland. He was 
born about twenty miles from the city of Baltimore, and in that locality spent 
the days of his youth. He married Miss Cuppy, and four children were born to 
them, namely: Ann, Rachel, Henry and Abraham. Mr. Carter died in Ohio, and his 
widow afterward became the wife of Mr. Taylor, by whom she had two children,—
David and Margaret.

Abraham C. Carter spent his boyhood days in the county of his nativity and 
received there a limited education, his school privileges, however, being 
somewhat meager. When very young he learned the glass-blower's trade, at 
Wheeling, Virginia. After arriving at years of maturity he was married, in 
Guernsey county, Ohio, November 27, 1844, to Margaret Ann Preston, who was 
born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 14, 1826. Her parents were William and 
Ann (Carson) Preston, and the former was a son of William Preston, who was of 
English descent, his birth having occurred in Canada. He married Zuby Sweet, 
and their children were Elijah, Oliver, John, Sarah, William, James, Zuby and 
Mary. The family removed from Canada to the United States, for Mr. Preston 
would not swear allegiance to the British crown. They became pioneer settlers 
of Tuscarawas, Ohio, where he followed the cooper's trade, which he had 
learned in early life. William Preston, Jr., the father of Mrs. Carter, took 
up his abode in Tuscarawas, Ohio, after his marriage, and there two children 
were born to them, —Mary Jane and Margaret Ann. The mother died when twenty-
seven years of age, and the father afterward married Barbara Richardson. 
During the civil war he loyally responded to the country's call for troops, 
enlisting in an Ohio regiment. After the battle of Fort Donelson, in which he 
participated, he was taken ill and sent to the hospital in Mound City, 
Illinois, but died before reaching home. His patriotic spirit was most marked. 
He was more than sixty years of age when he entered the service, and would 
have been exempt from military duty had he not ardently desired to aid in the 
defense of the Union. His death occurred when he was about sixty-three years 
of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Carter began their domestic life in Guernsey county, 
Ohio, upon a rented farm, and in 1851 came to Illinois, making the journey by 
wagon. They left their home on the 3d of June and on the 27th of the same 
month arrived in Mazon township, Grundy county. They first located at old 
Mazon, and later Mr. Carter purchased one hundred and five acres of partially 
improved land, upon which was a small frame house. By thrift and industry he 
added to his property until the home farm comprises three hundred and fifty-
four acres. The well tilled fields and neat appearance of the place always 
indicate the careful supervision of the owner, who from time to time made 
substantial improvements upon his land, converting it into one of the best 
farms in this section of the state. In 1867, the little pioneer home was 
replaced by a more commodious and substantial residence, and the necessary 
barns and outbuildings were added. Throughout his life Mr. Carter was a man of 
industry and energy, and his practical and progressive methods brought to him 
the success which he well merited.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carter was blessed with the following children: 
Melvin, born in Guernsey county, Ohio, November 17, 1845; Sarah M., born in 
Guernsey county, March 27, 1849; Martha A., who was born October 21, 1851, in 
Illinois, and died on the 24th of December, 1854; Lora and Flora, twins, born 
in Illinois, March 29, 1854; Amanda J., born August 27, 1857; Douglas P., born 
June 29, 1860; William H., born February 6, 1863; Amos A., born March 11, 
1865; and Frank B., born August 17, 1867.

Mr. Carter was a member of the Methodist church, which he joined when twenty-
four years of age. His life was in harmony with his professions, and by his 
financial support and active efforts he materially advanced the cause of the 
church in his locality. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and served as a 
supervisor of highways and commissioner. All who knew him respected him for 
his sterling worth, his honesty in business and his faithfulness to his family 
and friends. He died in Mazon township, March 2, 1876, and the community 
thereby lost one of its most respected citizens. Mrs. Carter has been a life-
long member of the Methodist church, with which she became identified in Ohio, 
when fifteen years of age. She is one of the well-known pioneer ladies of 
Grundy county, and her many excellencies of character have won her high 
regard. She has also been an earnest member of the church, a devoted mother, 
and one who could be relied upon when sympathy and aid were needed by the poor 
and distressed. Her son, William H. Carter, is now managing the home farm. He 
is recognized as one of the reliable agriculturists of Mazon township, and is 
known as a young man of excellent character. He owns one hundred and sixty 
acres of good land, and his well-directed efforts in business are bringing him 
creditable success.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p640-642

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