James Carter's biography, Greenbush Township, Clinton County, Michigan Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY, 1906 CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN Page 342-346 Photo available: James R. Carter JAMES R. CARTER No history of Clinton County would be complete without mention of James R. Carter, who for fifty-seven long years has resided within its borders, witnessing the transformation that has occurred as the county has emerged from a forest district into a region of rich fertility, and not only has the work of agriculture been carried steadily forward, for in the towns and cities progress has been made along industrial and commercial lines and Clinton County has become possessed of all the advantages, improvements and conveniences known to the older east. Mr. Carter is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Greenbush Township. He arrived in Clinton County on the 15th of October 1848, being at that time a young man of twenty years. His birth had occurred in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 12, 1828. His father, Charles Carter, was also a native of that locality, born February 6, 1800, while the paternal grandfather was a native of Germany but became one of the early residents of Virginia, settling there when it was still one of the colonies of Great Britain. However, when an attempt was made to throw off the yoke of British oppression he became a soldier in the Revolutionary war and aided in establishing the new republic. Charles Carter was reared to manhood in Virginia and was married there to Miss Melinda Craven, also a native of that state. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade and assisted in the erection of a residence for President James Monroe. In 1835 he removed to Ohio, taking up his abode on a farm in Mulberry Township, Knox County. In 1849 he removed to Michigan, where he joined his son, J. R. Carter, and spent his last years passing away here on the 4th of November 1864. His first wife died in Ohio about 1837 and he afterward married again. By the first marriage there were three children: Sarah E., who became the wife of Parson Jeffers, of Eureka and died here, hers being the first interment in Eureka cemetery; James R., of this review; and Mrs Mahala A. Hulse, of Greenbush township. James R. Carter was reared to manhood in Knox County, Ohio, and is indebted to the public-school system of that locality for the educational privileges he enjoyed. His youth was passed under the parental roof and he became familiar with the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted in the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. With his brother-in-law he came to Clinton County in 1848 and from the government entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he yet resides. The following spring he began to clear this property and he worked in a sawmill one winter, while the summer months were given to his farm work. After clearing a little tract of land he built a log cabin and further continued the work of improving and cultivating his place. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Susan McPherson and they were married in Essex township, February 11, 1849, a day prior to the twenty-first anniversary of his birth. Mrs Carter was born and reared in Loudoun county, Virginia, and was a daughter of Stephen McPherson, who removed from the Old Dominion of Ohio and afterward came to Michigan, settling in Clinton County in 1848. The young couple began their domestic life in a little log cabin in the midst of the woods. They were pioneer settlers but the country was rapidly becoming settled, for in the winter of 1848-49 forty-four hundred acres of land were entered in this locality. Mr. Carter lost his first house through fire. All were away from home at the time and the loss was quite a serious one in consequence, as nothing was saved. He later built a good neat residence, to which he has since added and now has a comfortable home. Later he built a good house for his son and has also built substantial barns and outbuildings. He has an orchard of his own planting and has also set out walnut and shade trees which have added much to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Unto Mr. and Mrs Carter were born five children who are yet living: Melinda Elizabeth, the wife of David L. Alldoffer, of Homer, Michigan; Juliet B., the wife of Albert Gilson, of Bannister, Michigan; Charles, who is married and resides in Detroit; Alice, at home; and W. G. Carter, who is married and resided upon the old homestead. One daughter of the family, Elvira, died in early womanhood and the mother passed away on the 5th of March 1888. Mr. Carter was married again in Greenbush township, February 4, 1891, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Auten, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Henry Auten, of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. He removed from the Keystone State to Knox County, Ohio, and in 1850 came to Clinton County, Michigan, where he spent his last days. Mrs Carter is a sister of Frank Auten, formerly a lawyer of St. Johns. Both Mr. and Mrs Carter hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and he assisted in organizing the first Christian association in this part of the county-a Methodist class, which was formed in 1849. He is the last survivor of the original eleven members of that class. He has been one of the officers of his church for many years and has taken an active and helpful part in its work. He was identified with the Masonic lodge, was the first master of Greenbush lodge, A. F. & A. M., served in that capacity for seven years, is now a past master and has several times represented the local lodge in the grand lodge. Politically he was originally an old line Whig and is now a republican. He was elected and served for four years as township treasurer, was highway commissioner two years and has been a member of the school board. No movement for the general good fails to receive his hearty endorsement and awaken his deep interest. He takes great pride in what has been accomplished in the county and has done his full share toward its development and progress. He lived here in early pioneer days and has shot and killed both deer and bears here. For fifty-seven years he has lived in Clinton County, has seen the forests felled and the farms improved, while the adaptability of the county to general grain raising and horticultural pursuits has long since been successfully demonstrated. Where once stood the native trees are now seen good orchards and fine groves of ornamental trees or well kept lawns. There have been good roads made cities and towns have been built up and have been connected by railroad and trolley lines. The county therefore today bears little resemblance to the district into which Mr. Carter came in his early manhood, but he rejoices in what has been accomplished and in his home locality has done much for material, intellectual and moral progress.