Baltimore City MD Archives Biographies.....Robert D. CARTER, March 28, 1852 - October 22, 1936 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Kenneth Carter vn0013@comcast.net February 26, 2012, 6:38 pm Source: From the family Author: Kenneth M. Carter The last Marshal of Baltimore Robert Dudley Carter, was born in Gaston/Littleton, Halifax County, North Carolina, March 28, 1852. He was the son of Jesse ans Sallie Ann Carter (nee)"Whitaker". Robert got his middle name after the first elected Governor, "Edward Bishop Dudley" elected by the people of North Carolina 1835. Robert worked on his family farm and also as a Teamster wagon driver. In 1869, he came to Baltimore, at 17 years old, Robert enlisted at 67 Thames street Fells Point, Baltimore Maryland, and served in the U.S.Navy for 3 years. He married Dona Burkhart, early in 1875 at the age of 23. In 1875 Robert had moved to Baltimore for good, that same year Dona gave birth to a daughter, "Bessie May Carter", she was born in Baltimore City, Robert was working in Baltimore as a Teamster with the old-horse car service, aftr which he was a contracting foreman. In 1878 Dona gave birth to a son "Robert Dudley Carter Jr", he to was born in Baltimore. Robert bought his first house in "1880", at 1650 North Gilmor Street. 1884 May 12, Robert was appointment to (Police Officer), and worked at the North West District, Baltimore City, he was 32 years old. He work hard at being the best, and in 1888 March 9, he was promoted to "Sergeant", and 1892 November 17 he was promoted to "Lieutenant". In this same year Robert D. Jr., and Bessie May, and her husband Henry D. Hammond were all living with Robert and Dona at 1650 North Gilmor street. 1894 April, Robert's father Jesse, was visiting from Stems, Granville county, North Carolina, and pass-away in his sleep at Robert's house 1650 North Gilmor Street, Baltimore. Dr. George W. Norris was called in and said his death was de to heart disease. Jesse was 73 years old, and was amerchant, in Dry-Goods, he started a store in Littleton and moved to Stems. Robert took Jesse back home to North Carolina. Working long days most up to 18 hours, showed Robert as a good Policeman, by 1914 August 14, Robert was promoted to "Marshal of Baltimore City Police Department", he skipped the rank of Captain, he was 62 years old. February 1915, Marshal Carter, made his debut as a public speaker, when he told an audience of students of the "Johns Hopkins Medical School, just what the Police Department of Baltimore City, was doing in the way of seeing that the laws of the city ad State are obeyed. May 27,1915, there was a 63rd. birthday party held at "Arion's Country Club", Wilkens Avenue Extended. It was expected to be up to 800 citizens of Baltimore who have become acquainted with Marshal Carter. He was given a "14-karat Solid Gold Badge", with 63 diamonds set in platinum. Topping the American Eagle is a One-karat diamond. In 1917 Marshal Carter was elected to be the National Commander of the Army and Navy Union, held at the eighteenth biennial encampment at the "Bohemian Hall", on Gay and Preston streets. September 4, 1918 he was made the Chief Marshal of the parade which was headed by a delegation of the "Grand Army of the Republic", and several thousand United Spanish War Veterans who are holding their twentieth encampment in Baltimore. 1920 was a very hard year for Marshal Carter, Dona his wife was very ill, and Robert D. Jr., was ill also, he had tuberculosis. Robert D. Jr., was in a sanatorium in the mountains, Marshal Carter had Mary Gohagen working for him to help take of Dona and Robert D. Jr. Marshal Carter, brought Robert D. Jr., home from the sanatorium knowing that e could live only a short time. On December 26, 1920 Robert D. Jr. passed-away at the age of 42, when Dona was told she became unconsious. In 1921 August 7, Dona passed-away, this same year Marshal Carter retired from the Baltimore City Police Department on January 20, 1921, he had 36 years and 8 months of service at the age of 68. Marshal Carter, moved in with his daughter Bessie, and his son-in-law Henry D. Hammond at 604 Hollen Road, Baltimore where he lived until 1936 October 22, when he passed away from pneumonia at the age of 84. The Rev. Bruce H. McDonald, pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, conducted the service. The Burial was at "Woodlawn Cemetery, Baltimore County, Maryland. With him is wife Dona, son Robert D. Jr., with his wife Effie, and Robert's daughter Bessie Carter Hammond. The Baltimore City Police Deprtment named in his Honor the "Police Boat" after "Robert D. Carter. Marshal Robert D. Carter, was the "Last Marshal of Baltimore City Police", Janury, 1921. When General Gaither, was made "Commissioner of Police" by the Police Board in late 1920, he started a reorganization of the department, and after Marshal Carter retired he created the new post of Chief Inspector. Marshal Carter, with tears filled his eyes, stated he did not expect the recognition given him, as he felt he was appointed to the position of Marshal of Police by the Police Board and not by the citizens, " but I am happy to say", he remarked, "that the Police Department and every citizen of Baltimore will get the best in me and in the force under me. I feel that Baltimore has the best Police Department in the Country. Marshal Carter, is personal known to Police Chiefs across the country. He is a close personal friend of "William A. Pinkerton", the well noted Private Detective. Robert was also a "Thirty-Second Degree Mason", a "Shriner", and a "Knight Templar". By great grand nephew Kenneth M. Carter Mount Airy, Maryland Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/baltimorecity/bios/carter-rd.jpg This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mdfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb This file is located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/md/baltimorecity/bios/carter-rd.txt