HUGH LEONADUS CARTER, M. D
The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 642-643
Boone

HUGH LEONADUS CARTER, M. D., familiarly known as
Dr. H. Lon Carter, is admittedly the leading citizen, as
well as physician and surgeon, of Boone County, his public
spirit and bighearted generosity drawing all classes to him,
and his popularity is as great at Madison as it is in Dan-
ville, where he maintains his residence. He was born at
Union, Monroe County. West Virginia, August 21, 1866, a
son of William L. and Maggie (Keadle) Carter. His grand-
father on the paternal side was a Baptist minister, and his
wife belonged to the Wilson family, one of the most prom-
inent in state affairs of West Virginia. The Carters are
of Scotch-Irish origin. William L. Carter was born in
West Virginia, and his wife was also a native of this state.
A machinist by trade, he also worked as a millwright, and
was one of the pioneer saw-mill men of the state. As such
he moved about considerably, for his services were in great
demand by all of the big mill operators. When war broke
out between the two sections of the country he espoused
the cause of the South, entered the Confederate Army and
served during the four years of the conflict as a captain,
under Capt. Leonadus Love. His death occurred at Barbers-
ville, West Virginia. Both as a Baptist and a Mason he
lived up to the highest ideals of Christian manhood, and was
most highly respected by all who knew him.

Doctor Carter attended the common schools of Union
nntil he was twelve years old, then was sent to the
Anderson Presbyterian School for two terms, and next,
when only thirteen years old, began working in a brick
yard, where he was engaged in operating a steam engine.
This yard made the bricks used in the construction of the
Big Bee Tunnel. Here he continued to work during two
summers, attending school in the winters in Cabell County,
on the Guyan River, where his father was then employed.
During the winter he was fifteen he attended the normal
school at Milton, West Virginia, and after that, notwith-
standing his youth, he taught school for the three succeed-
ing winters, the first two winters the schools lasting four
months and the last one was a six-months school. During
the summers he worked in saw-mills, keeping fully occupied
all of the time. In 1889 Doctor Carter began railroading,
and was a brakeman for eleven months, then was made
baggagemaster on trains, and held that position for one
year. He was then made a conductor, and served as such
until February, 1893, when he was able to realize an am-
bition he had long held - the study of medicine. He and
his wife had between them saved enough by this time to
enable him to take the course at the Kentucky School
of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, which is now a part
of the University of Kentucky, and he was graduated
therefrom in 1895, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Immediately following his graduation Doctor Carter estab-
lished himself in a general practice at Danville, where he
has since remained, and from the start he has been very
successful. In 1897 he went to the New York Polyclinic and
took up post-graduate work; also did post-graduate work
in 1905 at the University of Louisville; and in 1918, at the
Polyclinie of New Orleans, Louisiana. He devotes most
of his time to surgery, although the demand for his services
is so great that he is still compelled to carry on a, general
practice. It is his desire, however, to specialize on surgery.
In December, 1920, Doctor Carter organized the Danville
Hospital Corporation, under the laws of West Virginia,
which is the best-equipped hospital in the state outside of
Charleston. Doctor Carter is president of the corporation;

Dr. J. O. Williams is resident doctor of medicine; Dr. E.
W. Smith is assistant resident physician, and all of the
physicians and surgeons of Madison are members of the
visiting staff.

Doctor Carter has rendered a valuable public service in
many ways. During the late war he was a member of the
Board of Medical Examiners, and devoted much of his time
to the work of this board. He was president of all of the
local committees on the selling of the Liberty Bonds, and in
every other way possible did everything in his power to
assist the administration to carry out its policies. During
1899 and 1901 he served in the West Virginia Legislature,
and during his terms in that body gave his active support
to many important measures which have since become laws.
A natural machinist, he set up the first mowing machine
in this county, as well as the first two reapers and binders,
and has never lost his liking for mechanical work.

In 1892 Doctor Carter married at Madison Miss May E.
Hopkins, a daughter of Henry and Julia Hopkins, both
of whom were born and reared in West Virginia. Mrs.
Carter is a highly-educated lady, and prior to her marriage
was a school teacher. She entered fully into her husband's
aspirations toward a professional life, and not only en-
couraged him, but gave him material assistance as well, and
he feels that much of his present success is primarily due
to her and her unselfish efforts in his behalf. Doctor and
Mrs. Carter became the parents of three children, namely:
Carr C., Lyle H. and Frank, but the last named died in
1918. aged thirteen years. The two older sons served during
the World war.

The Baptist Church holds the membership of Doctor
Carter and his family, and they are all zealous chnrch
workers. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and was the first
worshipful master of Odell Lodge No. 115, A. F. and A. M.
He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and was one of those to sign the petition for the
Danville lodge. It is safe to say that no measure of im-
portance has come before the people of the county since
he became a resident of it that has not received careful
and conscientious attention from Doctor Carter, and it is
equally true that few have been carried to successful com-
pletion without his approval, for his fellow citizens have
implicit trust in his good faith and sound judgment, and
realize that if he decides against anything he has very good
reasons for doing so. They are just as determined to fol-
low his lead when he advises action of a favorable character,
and he is the father of some of the most constructive move-
ments in this part of the state.