Biographical Sketch of

William Carter

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 688 - 689


William R. Carter, who resides on section 25, Manchester Township, Green Lake County, has resided in the State 
of Wisconsin during its entire existence as such and for four years under the territorial government, the date 
of his arrival being April 27, 1844.  He is a native of the Keystone State, having been born in Erie County, 
Feb. 10, 1825.  His father, William Carter, Sr., was a native of New Hampshire, but his mother, whose maiden 
name was Clarissa Shaddock, was born in Pennsylvania.  In an early day, when William Carter, Sr., was a young 
man, he removed to the latter State and purchased a heavily timbered claim in Erie County, near the home of 
Horace Greeley.  He there formed the acquaintance of Miss Shaddock, whose hand he sought in marriage, and on 
the farm which he there developed their only child, our subject, was born.  In 1838, accompanied by his family, 
Mr. Carter left his Eastern home and emigrated to Clinton County, Iowa, where he spent one year, but as they 
were all afflicted with chills and fever, which is very common in new settlements, he determined to seek 
elsewhere for a location and chose La Porte County, Ind., settling on what was then called La Porte Prairie, 
where he remained for two years.  In the spring of 1841, we find him with his family residing in Walworth 
County, Wis., and three years later he became a resident of Marquette County, where he pre-empted 140 acres 
of land.  In the month of February they erected a little log cabin which was roofed with boards brought from 
Winnebago and was entirely destitute of a floor.  In that humble home, the following spring, the first election 
in the town was held, the ballot boxes consisting of a tea pot, sugar bowl and pickle dish.
 
The history of the Carter family is inseparably connected with that of the community in which they located.  
Mr. Carter made the first garden in that part of the county, not an acre having been placed under cultivation 
previous to that time.  No road had yet been cut through and communication with the outside world was carried 
on with much difficulty.  It was predicted that the county would not be settled up in half a century, but Mr. 
Carter, more sanguine of success, determined to make his home on the location which he had chosen and ere his 
death he could look with pride upon the county whose progress and advancement had been carried forward with 
such rapidity as to astonish even the most hopeful.  His wife was called to her final rest in 1860, aged 
forty-eight years, but he survived until 1881, aged seventy-eight years.  He was one of the influential and 
prominent citizens and none stood higher in the community than William Carter who is spoken of as one of the 
best representatives of that grand pioneer element which is so rapidly passing away.  He held many offices of 
honor and trust and the utmost confidence was reposed in him by all his acquaintances.  In early life he was 
a supporter of the Whig party and cast his ballot for William Henry Harrison, the Tippecanoe hero.  When the 
Republican party was organized he joined its ranks and until his death was one of its stalwart advocates.
 
Our subject was reared to habits of industry and morality by a worthy father and mother and like them has 
won the esteem and best wishes of the community.  He was but thirteen years of age when he left his native 
State.  His school life was there begun, continued in Indiana and completed in Walworth County, Wis.  Since 
1844 he has resided upon the same farm.  At the time of the location of the family it was a part of Marquette 
County, but was comprised in the portion which was detached and called Green Lake County.  Farming has been 
his principal occupation and he now has one of the beautiful homes of Manchester Township, where surrounded 
by all the comforts of life he can enjoy the fruits of his labor.
 
On the 24th day of September, 1850, Mr. Carter was joined in wedlock with Miss Harriet Ells, a native of Erie 
County, N. Y., who with her parents came to Wisconsin in 1847.  Mr. and Mrs. Ells continued to make their home 
in the community until 1867, since which time they have been citizens of Minnesota.  Three children have been 
born to our subject and his worthy wife:  Lucy J., the eldest, was twice married.  Her first husband was C. T. 
Walker, by whom she had two children--May and Della.  Mr. Walker died in Montana and his widow then married H. 
C. Carter, a farmer of Dodge County, Minn.  Lewis J., the second child, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits 
in the town of Manchester, married Eugenie Ames, by whom he has three children, Maud, Eda and Edward.  L. James, 
the youngest, is operating the old homestead farm, where he resides with his wife and little son, Mrs. Carter 
having previously been Miss Cora Chapman.
 
By systematic and methodical habits and fair and honest dealing in all business transactions, Mr. Carter has been 
very successful as a farmer   and, as before stated, has one of the best homes in the vicinity.  Like his father, 
he is faithful in his allegiance to Republican principles and never fails to cast his ballot for the support of 
that grand old party.  In the various official positions which he has held he has discharged his duties with credit 
to himself and to the satisfaction of not only his constituents, but of all concerned.
 
Mr. Carter, Sr., was one of the early Commissioners, having served three years as such before the State was admitted 
into the Union, and before the organization of Green Lake County.  After the organization of Green Lake County, he 
was elected a Supervisor in which capacity he served several years.






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