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Benjamin F. Carter was a distinguished presiding judge of Common Pleas Courts in Gloucester County for twenty years, and most of this time acting as its presiding officer. He was born in Philadelphia, November 2, 1823 and is the son of the late Joseph Carter, a native of Gloucester County, but for many years a hardware merchant in Philadelphia, where his son Benjamin was at school up to his eleventh year, after which he attended the private schools of Woodbury. Judge Carter has held many positions of honor and trust, and always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all with whom his duties brought him in contact. He was Woodbury�s postmaster during the terms of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan, and one year under President Lincoln. He was a member of the first borough Council of Woodbury, and one of its first mayors. He was elected mayor by the Council after the place became a city, but declined. In 1863 he was appointed by Governor Parker post quartermaster, with the rank of captain, and stationed at Beverly as a disbursing officer for the State troops engaged in putting down the Rebellion, and on his retirement was highly recommended by the State Officers for his efficient management. In 1873, Governor Parker appointed him a member of the State Constitutional Commission, and he served therein on the committees on the judiciary, the executive and the appointing power. In 1875 he ran for State senator, but was defeated by a small majority. Twice, he had the honor of serving as a member of the Electoral College of New Jersey, once in 1876, when he voted for Samuel L. Tilden, and again in 1880 (to fill a vacancy), when he cast his ballot for Gen. Hancock for President. His career as a judge began in 1858, when he was appointed by the joint meeting of the Legislature, and he was reappointed in the same way in 1863 and again in 1868. In 1877, Governor Bedle appointed him judge for a five year term. He ranked as one of the ablest Common Pleas judges in the State, and had he desired it he could in 1881 have received the appointment as a member of the Court of Errors and Appeals for the State. He is at present a member of the board of managers of the State Lunatic Asylum. Judge Carter has always been active in church work, and was one of the original trustees of Christ Episcopal Church of Woodbury, superintendent of its Sunday School for a quarter of a century, and at the present time its senior warden and treasurer, and frequently has represented this church in diocesan conventions. He is also president of the Gloucester County Bible Society, and the author of the "Historical Lectures on Woodbury," published in 1873 by the citizens of the town. A leading citizen and an affable neighbor. Judge Carter stands among Gloucester County�s most respected citizens.
