Wayne County

William H. Carter

1884 Biographical Sketches of Barnhill Twp

WILLIAM H. CARTER, farmer, P.O. Fairfield, was born October 5, 1833, in Wayne County, Ill, the son of William A. Carter, born in Virginia in 1799. He died in Barnhill Township in 1888, having come to this county in 1820. He was a farmer, and well known, and highly respected. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, and was in early days a mustering officer in Kentucky, where he was raised, and also in this county. His father was William Carter, a native of Virginia; he died in Ohio County, Ky. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

The Carter family is of English descent, and is of a celebrated race. They came to the colonies in an early day, and have, down to the present time, been connected with the history of different States.

The mother of our subject, Hannah (Haynes) Carter, was a native of Virginia, born 1797. She died October 4, 1880, in this county. She was the daughter of Josiah and Judith (New) Haynes, natives of Virginia. Josiah Haynes was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was the father of seventeen children, of whom only one died before he did; he saw the rest all married and become members of the church. His name is well known throughout Kentucky for his capitlity and liberality.

Mrs. Hannah Carter was the mother of eight children, of whom only three are now living.

Our subject was educated in Wayne County, Ill. He has farmed all his life. He was married, in 1856, to Mime Elvira J. Kelley, born February 3, 1833, in Kentucky, daughter of Rev. Carter J. Kelley, a native of Kentucky, and Perlina (Haynes) Kelley, native of Kentucky.

Mrs. Elvira J Carter was the mother of ten children, of whom five are now living, viz,

  1. David K., born February 28, 1859
  2. Woodson E., born December 15, 186-
  3. Ruth A., born June 27, 1870
  4. Oscar O., born September 2, 1872
  5. Mary P., born May 16, 1875

Mr. and Mrs. Carter are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

He is an A. F. & A. M., Fairfield, Lodge No. 206. He has a farm of 200 acres of land, and in politics he is a Republican.

He served almost three years in our late war, in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, participating in many thrilling scenes and famous battles. He enlisted as private, but worked his way up to Second Lieutenant. During the siege of Vicksburg, he commanded his company.



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