J. W. CARTER, whose farm is pleasantly located about two and a half miles south of Carrollton, where he has well cultivated fields and rich pastures, together with good buildings and modern improvements, all combining to make one of the attractive farms of the county, was born in Garrett county, Kentucky, on the 25th of April, 1853. His paternal grandfather, who followed farming and stock-raising, died about 1830. The father, John C. Carter, was born in Kentucky, in 1826, and spent the days of his boyhood and early manhood there. He was married in that state to Miss Jane T. Stanton, also a native of Kentucky, and in 1856 they removed to Greene county, Illinois, settling on the Keech farm, where they resided for two or three years. Mr. Carter then bought the Steven Taylor property, two miles south of Carrollton, and spent his remaining days in that locality, save for a year passed in Springfield, Missouri. He afterward bought the Joseph Stove property, adjoining the farm near Carrollton on which he had previously resided, and there he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1884, while his wife passed away in 1905. They were the parents of nine children, of whom J. W. Carter was the second in order of birth.

Upon the old homestead farm Mr. Carter of this review was reared, early becoming familiar with the work of field and meadow, and his education was acquired in Carrollton. He was married on the 16th of November, 1876, to Miss Mattie King, a native of Greene county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Charlotte King and a cousin of Judge King, of Carrollton. Their union has been blessed with the following named: William Thomas, deceased; Mrs. Mary E. Kleinau, a resident of Bloomington, Illinois; John S., deceased; James Edward; Robert Lee; Eber Clinton and Harold Cleburn.

After his marriage Mr. Carter purchased his present home, two and a half miles south of Carrollton, the land lying partly in Carrollton and partly in Kane townships. He has since added largely to the original tract, buying sixty acres adjoining, sixty-three acres in Carrollton township, fifty-three acres on the main road to Kane and other property, having in all about four hundred acres of valuable farming land. His fields bring forth rich crops, owing to his careful cultivation. He feeds all that he raises, for he is extensively engaged in the live stock business, and he also has to buy feed for the cattle and hogs, which he sells in large numbers. He also has a fine apiary of one hundred hives and practically supplies the Carrollton market with its honey. He raises his own nursery stock and has an orchard of forty acres and in 1898 he engaged in threshing, having a fine and complete outfit and doing an extensive business along that line. He is one of the most progressive agriculturists of the county, using the latest improved machinery and keeping everything about his place in harmony with the most advanced ideas of farming. Moreover, he is intensely practical and by the careful husbanding of his resources and judicious investment in stock and lands he has prospered in his business career. There is a good barn and substantial outbuildings upon his place and his home is one of the fine residences of the county.

While leading a busy life as a farmer, Mr. Carter also finds time to devote to public affairs and has ever given hearty endorsement to and co-operation to the measures which he believes will contribute to the public good. He has been officially connected with the schools for fifteen years and his enterprising spirit has been a potent factor in securing public progress along many lines that have proved beneficial to the county.