T.M. Carter

The Carters:

The story of the Carters is the story of Blair. The town stands on land pre-empted by the Carters nearly fifteen years before the railroad brought Blair into being. The family lived in Scioto and Adams Counties in Ohio. The father, Alexander Senior, was born in Virginia but came to Ohio as a lad. He married Catherine Neff and reared a family of seven--Jacob, Nathan, Villini, Dulcina, Alexander Junior, Thomas Marion, and Catherine. After his wife's death Alexander married Mrs, Martha J. Compton. Their children were Fleming, Daniel, Ellen, Sir Dion, and Johanna. This baker's dozen of Carter children helped populate and develop early Washington County. Alex Jr. and Thomas Marion were the first to venture westward. Starting by steamboat in April 1855 they floated down the Ohio until it joined the Mississippi, thence upstream to St. Louis. Many migrating people were pushing westward and transportation facilities were very inadequate. Steamboats couldn't navigate the flooded-waters of the Missouri so the brothers walked, hitched rides, and rode horseback to reach St. Joseph. After a three-day wait they secured space atop a stage bound for Kanesville (Council Bluffs, Ia.). From this vantage point they viewed the new land and everything of interest. At Traders' Point, opposite Bellevue, they met Peter Sarpy and Logan Fontanelle. True to their training, they attended church in Kanesville while waiting to cross the river. At Omaha, then but a collection of board shanties and cotton tents, they were offered free building sites to remain there but they refused. Reaching DeSoto May 14. 1855, they found one completed log house and another under construct6ion. Undaunted, they secured living quarters in the finished cabin, found work and began looking for desirable. On October 16, 1856, Jacob and his family arrived after a six-week trip by ox-team and wagon. Ten years later, the father, with his remaining sons and daughters and their families, joined the three sons. These many families, became part of the new state. Their farms were well cultivated and productive. Their orchards yielded fruit of State Fair prize quality. By careful breeding their livestock flourished. They organized a church, a Sunday School, and a Masonic Lodge. They supported schools and held public offices. Throughout the years they were good citizens. Some of the later Carters moved farther westward and northward into Canada. Jacob Carter was my grandfather. His son Charles was my father and Minerva J. Lowe was my mother. Their children were Jacob, twins Dudley and Douglas, and Frances. Frances lives in Mesa, Arizona and I am the last Carter by name in Washington County. I was a World War II veteran. However, Carter blood flows in the veins of scores of others, through marriages of the daughters. A Carter genealogical chart would show relationship to most of the early families who settled around Blair. This is not intended to give genealogical aid. Reseachers can find some family accounts in books already published. Five family members are now working on a family history. Rather, this is a tribute to an energetic God-fearing family who made a road for others to follow. Submitted By W. Douglas Carter

Source: Washington County Nebraska History 1980, pages 140-141. The Washington County Historical Association. Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, 1980.