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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of William J. CARTER 

[Surnames: CARTER, GLORE, KIERNS, LOVELL, ROBINSON, STEPHENS] 

CARTER, WILLIAM J. 

    
William J. Carter a resident of Ipava and for many years known as an extensive stock-dealer, represents the third generation of his family in the county. He was born in Astoria, IL, Feb. 16, 1853, a son of William Bell and Melvina (Kierns) Carter, and grandson of William Carter, all natives of Ohio. Astoria continued to be the family home for many years, and there the grandfather, William Carter, died at an advanced age, leaving a large family to succeed to his small competence and maintain his reputation for honesty and kindliness. 
    
William Carter, Jr., father of William J., was in his teens when he came to Astoria, and was born June 13, 1822. In early life he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed several years, but later bought land north of Astoria where he engaged in farming until 1879. He then sold his farm and moved to Wayne Co., IA, but in 1880 selling his Iowa property, purchased a farm in Pleasant Twp., in Fulton County, where his wife died in 1882. She was born Aug. 23, 1825. There were 10 children in the family, four of whom are living. Of these, the oldest is Lucy Ann, wife of Benton Sharp, of Astoria, with whom her father spent the latter years of his life, dying June 16, 1906, at the age of 84 years and 3 days. 
    
To a thorough agricultural training William J. Carter added a common school education. He was married Sept. 23, 1875 to Ida Isabelle Lovell who was born in Astoria Twp., July 15, 1858, a daughter of Henry and Delana (Robinson) Lovell, pioneers of Fulton County. Until 1879 they lived on the old homestead in Astoria, thence moving to Iowa where they remained a year. Their next home was on a farm near Bushnell, and on Mar. 1, 1880, Mr. Carter came to Ipava, in 1881 taking charge of his father's farm in Pleasant Twp. and engaged in the livery business for a couple of years. He turned his attention to stock-buying, being one of the most extensive dealers in this part of the county. 
    
The Carter home was saddened Feb. 23, 1898 by the death of the devoted wife and mother. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. Of her children, the oldest (Delana M.) was born Aug. 6, 1876, married Benjamin J. Stephens May 7, 1899. is a resident of Canton, and has three children: Paul, born Sept.26, 1901; William Carter, born Aug. 7, 1904, and Howard Gregory, born June 15, 1906. The other children of William J. Carter and wife were: Lillian B., born Mar. 19, 1878, formerly a teacher and now in charge of the home; Orlie E. born May 5, 1880, married Grace E. Glore, Aug. 3, 1902, and is engaged in the drug business in Ipava; Elmer F., born Apr. 16 1882, a graduate of the Ipava High School; Martha L., born Jan. 15, 1890, also a graduate; Jennie M., born Jan. 18, 1892; William H. F., born Oct. 9, 1893; H. Devere, born Nov. 12, 1896, and one son and one daughter who died in infancy. 
    
Miss Lillian Carter, a young woman of broad culture and noble tendencies, chose education as her life work and proved her special gifts in that direction by several years of practical experience in the schools of Ipava. Upon the death of their mother she devoted herself to the care of her loved ones at home. She is an exceptionally bright scholar, and upon her graduation from Ipava High School in 1894 won the gold medal for her masterly essay on the subject, "Success in Life the Result of Labor."