Joseph Carter

CARTER, EVANS, GUTSHALL, SHUMAKER, SPEAR

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/2/2004 at 12:54:56

Joseph Carter, who passed away in Winterset in 1908, was for many years a prominent and successful farmer. He was born in Jackson county, Indiana, April 12, 1832, and was orphaned when but twelve years of age. He was bound out for a number of years but left the man before his time expired. In 1851 he came to Iowa, locating in Tama county, where he remained until 1859, when he removed to Madison county. Three years later he was married and took up his abode in Tama county, where he resided for eighteen months. At the end of that time he returned to this county and purchased forty acres of land in Douglas township. Upon the death of his father-in-law he bought one hundred and sixty acres of his estate and operated the farm for many years, proving very successful in the cultivation of his fields and the raising of stock. At length he accumulated a competence that enabled him to retire from active life and he took up his abode in Winterset, where he passed away on the 10th of April, 1908. Two days later, or on the anniversary of his birth, he was laid in his last resting-place. In early manhood he made three trips across the plains, the first time going to Pike's Peak with his brother on foot and drawing a handcart in which were their effects. The next time he drove an ox team. As the claims had all been taken in the section to which he went he only made his expenses but never regretted the trips, as he gained much valuable experience.

Mr. Carter was married in 1862 in Douglas township, this county, to Miss Adela Evans, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 16th of February, 1838, of the marriage of Robert and Elizabeth (Shumaker) Evans, natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respectively. In 1841 they came overland to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi river at Burlington. At that time Burlington had but a few houses and there were no towns of any size in the whole state of Iowa. They located upon a farm in Des Moines county, where they remained for a decade, but in 1851 they came to Madison county and settled on government land in what subsequently became Douglas township. Mr. Evans and his daughter camped on North river while he cut and sawed logs for the new cabin that was to be the family dwelling. He had but few tools and was obliged to make the shingles for the roof with a drawing knife. At last the house was completed and the family were preparing to move in on Monday but the day before the structure was destroyed by fire. Later a new cabin was built and it remained the family home for some time. Mr. Evans first entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land but later added to his farm until he became the owner of three hundred acres. He passed away in 1880 and was survived by his wife, whose demise occurred in Winterset. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Hugh, who died in Adair county; Mrs. Carter; William, a resident of Oklahoma; Joseph and Benjamin, twins, who died in childhood; Nancy, the wife of Andrew Spear, a resident of Jackson township; Alexander, who is living in Oklahoma; Amanda, who died when fourteen years old; Sarah Ellen, deceased; John, who is living in Nebraska; Sylvania, the deceased wife of Harry Gutchall; and Andrew J., who resides in Montana.

Mr. Carter was never a member of any church although he favored the Baptist denomination. His ballot was cast in support of the democratic party but he did not take further part in public affairs. He concentrated his attention upon his farm work and became the owner of a valuable property. He made many loyal friends, although of a somewhat retiring disposition, and his demise was sincerely mourned. His widow, although almost seventy-eight years of age, is in quite good health and lives alone in Winterset and does her own housework. She owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Douglas township and derives a good income therefrom. She can recall many incidents of pioneer times and derives satisfaction from the thought that she has aided in the great work of transforming Iowa from a wild though rich territory into one of the greatest agricultural states of the Union.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”