Winfield P. CARTER, stock dealer, Raymond, was born in Madison County, Ill., November 11, 1843. His father, Henry T. CARTER, was born at Knoxville, Tenn., in 1811. He remained in his native State until he was eighteen years of age, when he entered upon his career in life, and sought a home in the then far West, locating in Alton, Ill., and entered 320 acres of wild prairie land, a large portion of which he eventually improved and resided upon until his death, which occurred July 21, 1844. He was married in 1832, in Madison County, to Miss Hannah DAVIS, who was born at Trenton, N. J., July 12, 1815, who was brought to Illinois by her parents when but seven years of age. She was the mother of five children, viz.: Harriett, wife of J. H. STAHL, of Madison County; Louisa, wife of Edward SANDERS, of Macoupin County; Henry D., now living on the old homestead; Julia A., wife of M. V. McKINNEY, of Madison County, and Winfield, the subject of this sketch, all of whom were small children at the death of their father. Mrs. CARTER continued upon the farm, which was managed by herself until the children were able to take the duties upon themselves, and to assist in the support of the family. She is still living and resides upon the homestead with her son Henry. Winfield remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, assisting in the labor of the farm, and attending the common schools, to which his educational privileges were limited. In 1862, when he left home, he entered into the service in Company B, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. A. F.ROGERS, in the regiment commanded by Col. ALLEN. He remained in the service twenty-two months, receiving his discharge on account of injuries received from a bayonet, and being otherwise injured while removing a battery; was taken a prisoner by John MORGAN, but was paroled soon after. Upon his return home, he again took upon himself the duties of a farm life, remaining at home about one year, at the end of which time, in company with two others, he turned his face westward, to try his fortune in California, where he engaged in mining and farming. At the expiration of two years, he returned to his native State, and continued in the occupation of a farmer. On January 25, 1868, he was married to Miss Anna H. MAYHEW, who was born at Shiloh, N. J., September 26, 1849. They have five children, Viz.: Philip Henry, born October 25, 1869; Mary Louisa, born June 1, 1871; Edward B., born September 20, 1872; Maud E., born August 1, 1874; Ernest M., born June 25, 1876, and died June 3, 1877; Clyde W., born August 6, 1878. Mrs. CARTER is a daughter of James and Sarah (HOWE) MAYHEW, natives of New Jersey. He was a farmer by occupation, born at Shiloh, N. J., in 1809, and died in 1858; she born in 1814, and is still living. Mr. CARTER remained in Madison County, upon the farm, until 1870, when he removed to Raymond and opened a lumber yard, which was the first enterprise of the kind in the town. He continued in the business until the fall of 1872, when he sold out and entered into partnership with C. M. DAVIS in a general merchandising store. Two years later, he purchased his partner's interest, and continued in the business until 1878, when he disposed of his stock, since which time he has been engaged more or less extensively in dealing in stock. He has a small tract of land in the outskirts of the town of Raymond, upon which he has erected a fine dwelling, surrounded by a fine grove of maple trees, planted by himself. The prospects for Mr. CARTER's residence becoming the finest place in Raymond are very flattering. Mr. CARTER has taken a great interest in the growth and prosperity of the town, and to him is ascribed the honor of having been the first Treasurer. He has also served upon the Town Board two years, and was Deputy Postmaster for about six years, at an early date in the town history. Politically, Mr. CARTER has always been an exponent of the Democratic party. He is an energetic and enterprising business man, and socially enjoys the highest esteem of the community. Upon his return from California, his trip was anything but pleasant, as he was called upon to pass through several perils. He purchased a ticket from San Francisco to New York, upon the steamer Daniel Webster; but, before sailing, met a friend about to sail upon the steamer Moses Taylor. He disposed of his ticket, and took passage upon the Moses Taylor. Both steamers left the wharf the same day, and were caught in a storm in which the Daniel Webster was lost with all on board. The Moses Taylor, however, reached San Juan del Norte, although badly damaged. They crossed Luke Nicaragua in a terrible storm, and, while passing down Nicaragua River, ran on a shoal. The steamer then had to be abandoned, and, after being exposed eleven days to storms and hardships, with a scarcity of food, part of the time walking and part of the time in skiffs, reached Greytown, on the Atlantic shore, from which place he embarked upon the Santiago de Cuba, for New York; but again they were doomed to pass through a storm, which disabled the steamer, which was towed into port at Charleston, S. C. Having passed safely through the perils of the deep, he determined to finish his journey be rail, and the train upon which he was carried, while running at a high rate of speed, was thrown from the track, killing four persons. Having escaped injury in all of these misfortunes, he at last arrived home safely, after forty-nine days dangerous travel, the recollections of which trip are still fresh in his memory.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 212-213.
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