Bio: Hon. John J. Carter, Webster Par., Louisiana Source: Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 Submitted by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez Date: April 2000 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** === ===Hon. John J. Carter is a representative citizen, and few men have attained the prominence in a social as well as a business point of view than has Mr. Carter, who is courteous and pleasant in all his relations with the public. He was born in Pike County, Miss., on May 6, 1832, and his father, Henry Carter, was born in South Carolina. The latter removed to Mississippi with his parents when a child of three years, and his father, Samuel Carter, who was also a native of South Carolina, was one of the pioneers of Mississippi, settling in Pike County of that State as early as 1803. Henry Carter grew to manhood in that State and still resides on the old homestead there. His is eighty-nine years of age. John J. Carter, the second child and eldest son of four children, only two besides our subject now living, grew to manhood in Mississippi, and remained with his father up to 1857. He received a fair education in the common and higher schools, and is mostly self-educated since reaching mature years. He removed to Louisiana in 1857, settled in what is now Webster Par., Louisianaand engaged in clerking and book-keeping up to the late war. In 1862 he joined the Minden Rangers, an independent company, and was promoted from private to lieutenant, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. He participated in the fight at Farmersville, Miss., the engagements around Atlanta, and the battle of Franklin, Tenn. He was also in the battles of Nashville, Corinth and Iuka, Miss. After the war Mr. Carter returned to Minden and engaged in his occupation of clerk and book-keeper. In 1870 he became a partner in the firm of T. B. Neal & C., general merchants, and continued in this business up to 1878. In that year he was elected to represent Webster Parish in the Legislature, and after the close of his term he returned to Minden. He has ever taken an active interest in politics of this State and parish. He has served as a member of the school board, has been police juror, and held many other positions of trust and honor. He has held a commission from the governor of the State since 1877, and has taken an active part and his used his influence to advance the cause of education. He has worked hard to advance the financial interests of this parish, and has extended a helping hand to all enterprises of a laudable nature. Mr. Carter was married in this parish on July 31, 1860, to Miss Amanda J. Murrell, a native of Illinois and the daughter of Drury Murrell, one of the pioneers of North Louisiana, settling here as early as 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have a family of six children, viz.: Henry M., Jessie L. (wife of Isaac F. Carter), Lizzie D., Maud, Mamie and Drury E. Mr. Carter and wife are members of the Baptist Church. His is a Royal Arch Mason, serving as Worshipful Master of the Blue Lodge and high priest of the chapter. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State, and at this writing is district deputy grand master. He is also a member of the K. of P., and has served in all the various official capacities of that order. Mr. Carter is at present book-keeper for the Farmers' Union, and is not only a fine scribe and a good book-keeper, but is a social and pleasant gentleman to meet.