CARTER, James M. - Putnam

Scott Township, Montgomery County, can boast of no better farmer than James M. Carter, widely known and highly respected as one of the most energetic, self-reliant and enterprising citizens of the eastern part of the county. He has for many years been intimately associated with the best interests and upward progress of his neighborhood, and to his personal influence and efforts are due many of valuable and permanent improvements of the locality. One of the older settlers, he has not only been an eye witness of part of the wonderful growth and development of his adopted county but has actively participated in the changing scenes and has accumulated a valuable store of historical reminiscence. Mr. Carter was born in Putnam Co, in on Sept. 14, 1840. He is a s/o Othias and Artimessia (GRIMES) Carter. The father was born in Mason Co, Ky Feb 8, 1804 and his death occurred in Montgomery Co IN on Feb 15, 1870. The mother of our subject was born in Bath Co, Ky Feb 2, 1806. They grew up in the Blue Grass state, received such educational advantages as the early schools of the county afforded and there they were married, removing the same year to Monroe Co, IN making the trip in a two-wheeled cart drawn by a yoke of oxen. They bought a farm in Monroe Co. and lived there until 1839, when they moved to Russell Twp, Putnam Co. where they bought the farm on which James M. Carter was born. Only a small portion of the place had been cleared, and after our subject was large enough to work he helped clear the rest of the land, but he spent a part of the winter months in the neighboring schools. The family remained there until 1862, then sold out and moved into the SW part of Scott Twp, 1/2 Mi. W. of Parkersburg, and here the parents spent the rest of their lives. Ten children were born to them, an equal number of sons and daughters namely: Nancy marr. Enoch RAILSBACK and lived most of her life in Scott Twp; Eliz. who remained unmarr, died when 80 years old, in the winter of 1911-12.; William Simpson d. in Mo. when about 70 years old, leaving a wife and 3 sons; Daniel Thomas lived in Scott Twp until his death in May 1906; leaving a widow, who is now living in Russellville, Ind; Lucinda, widow of John RAILSBACK, deceased and she now lives in New Mex; Parmelia marr. William EVERMAN and they are both now deceased; John Edward lived in Putnam Co and later in life near Parkersburg; this Co, and he is survived by one grandson Otto FOWLER of Waveland; James M, subj. of this sketch; Lucretia who marr. Abraham FINK lives on the old Carter homestead, a half mile W. of Parkersburg; Eli, the youngest lives in Putnam Co, near Bainbridge. James M. carter grew to manhood on the old home place in Putnam Co. and lived there until 1862, when he removed with his parents to Montgomery Co, the family locating near Parkersburg. He was marr. Nov 16, 1863 to Sarah Frances WARBRITTON, d/o Peter and Phoebe (NELSON) Warbritton. She was b. in the center part of Scott Twp, where the Warbritton brothers now live. Her father was b. in Va, but went to Ky when quite young, and they came to Montgomery Co, In from Bath Co KY, in pioneer times. They entered land from the government as least as early as 1829, when the county was just being settled, and he took his part in the log rollings and other pioneer events, and Mr. W. worked as hard as ever man did in clearing and developing his land. He later told frequently of the various wild animals he saw here and how the wolves disturbed his nightly slumber. Mrs. Carter, who was b. in 1840 recalls that even in her day a bear was killed not far from their home. Phoebe Nelson was b. in Ky, and was a d/o Samuel and Ana Nelson, also pioneers of Scott Twp. Peter Warbritton and wife lived the rest of their lives on the farm they entered from the government. 13 ch. were b. to them, all of whom grew to maturity; and all but 4 are still living. They were: Martha Jane, deceased, w/o George E. GRIMES, also deceased; Samuel Warbritton of New Market; John lives in Garnett, Ks; Reuben lives in Sedalia, Missouri; Charles lives near Moody, Arkansas; Henry lives at Raccoon, Putnam Co; Sarah Frances, w/o James M. Carter, our subject; Andrew lives on the old home place in the central part of Scott Twp; Ana, deceased, was the w/o Joseph LENOVER of Danville, Ill; Cynthis (sic) Ann, deceased, remained unmarr; lived on the old home place and d. when about 34 years old; Daniel lives on the old homestead, his wife, Nancy L, dying some time ago, leaving one daughter, Iola WORTHINGTON; Mahala, died soon after her marr. to George TAYLOR; George Warbritton, who marr. Lyda TATTOCK, lives on the old homeplace. Two children were born to M/M Carter, namely: Robert Sherman Carter, who died on Oct 11, 1876 at the age of 11 years; and another son that died in infancy, unnamed. After James M. Carter marr. he rented part of his father's farm and farmed there about 10 years, getting a good start. He then moved to Mo. and engaged in farming in that state for one year. He then returned to this Co. in 1870 and purchased 80 acres, Sec 20, this farm being located near Lapland. The land was timbered, but he cleared it in due course of time, after a great deal of very hard work. but being a man of courage he never gave over the task until he had developed a good farm and established a comfortable home in which he has now been residing for 40 years. M/M Carter both belong to the Primitive Baptist Church holding their membership in the Indian Creek Church. They are regarded as excellent people by their neighbors, being liked and trusted by all who know them.