James Carter, Emma Carter, (Unknown lady), Anthony Carter, Sr. Photo taken on Oct. 20, 1882 on their Golden Wedding Anniversary at their farm (section 21,Cedar township, Mitchell county, Iowa).

Anthony Carter, Sr. was born on August 23, 1811 at Methwold, Norfolk county, England, the son of Jane Carter. He was baptized at Methwold on October 13, 1811. He had three older siblings – Elizabeth (b. 1799 – d. unk); Joseph (b. 1806 – 1892); Nathan (b. 1809 – d. 1813) and three younger half-siblings – Ann Rolfe (b. 1814 – d. 1907); Nathan Rolfe (b. 1816 – d. unk); and Mary Rolfe (b. 1818 – 1907). He and his siblings – Joseph Carter, Ann (Rolfe) Tibbits, and Mary (Rolfe) Tibbits – immigrated to America in the early 1850s.

On October 20, 1832, Anthony Carter and Emmer Bowen were joined in marriage at Methwold, Norfolk county, England.

Emmer Bowen was born on January 1, 1810 in Norfolk county, England, the daughter of Sarah Bone. Emma Bone was baptized on January 3, 1813 at Cranwich, Norfolk county, England. Her baptism record states that her mother was from Methwold.

Naming conventions and dialect of the time would have shortened Emmer’s first name to Emma and Amy and her surname was often spelled as Bone in early church records.

Anthony and Emma began their married life together in the village of Methwold where six of their seven children were born – Nathaniel, James, Anthony Rolfe, Joseph Rolfe, Sarah and Philip Bowen. Anthony worked as an agricultural laborer according to the 1841 census. The 1851 census lists Anthony Carter and his family living in Babbingly, Norfolk county, England where he was working as a bailiff (farm manager).

An account in the 1884 History of Mitchell and Worth counties (Iowa) states that in 1849, Emma almost lost her life. As was custom in England, peat was used for fuel. When the fire was left unattended, they would cover the embers with ashes to keep it alive. Upon return home one day, Emma raked the embers and reached for the red powder canister to pour some on the fire. It quickly took fire causing the canister to explode tearing the flesh from her arm and severing the thumb on her right hand. Later the incident turned into good fortune as before the accident, a film was growing over her eyes. It was believed she would have eventually go blind, but after the accident the film disappeared and she had since been able to read without the aid of spectacles.

Anthony and Emma decided that their children’s lives may have more prospects in America, they journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean on the ship named Lenobia. On November 15, 1851, Anthony and Emma arrived in New York with their children - Anthony and Emma Carter, and his siblings, Nathaniel, James, Anthony R., Joseph R., Sarah, and Philip B. Carter. Anthony’s brother, Joseph Carter, and his family were also on this ship.

It is thought that Anthony and Joseph Carter and their families first settled in Ypsilanti township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, since Anthony and Emma’s eldest son, Nathaniel, married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Charles Clark and step-daughter of Margaret (Carter-Tibbits) Clark, in Ypsilanti and the 1860 census lists Nathaniel and James Carter farming in Ypsilanti township.

We do know that Charles and Margaret Clark settled in Ypsilanti township and that their son, Thomas Clark met them their in 1852. It appears that Anthony and Joseph Carter and their families moved to Dane county, Wisconsin and settled in Rutland township in early 1853. Soon to follow were Anthony’s half-sisters, Anne and Mary Tibbits and their families.

The 1855 Wisconsin census lists Anthony Carter, Joseph Carter, and Robert Tibbits living in Rutland township, Dane county, Wisconsin and Edward Tibbits living in neighboring Dunn township, Dane county, Wisconsin.

In May of 1853, Anthony and Emma were blessed with the birth of a son, George H. Carter. According to census lists, he was born in Wisconsin, probably in Rutland township, Dane county. In May 1854, their only daughter, Sarah, passed away at nine years of age.

By June 1855, Anthony and Emma Carter and their sons – Anthony R., Joseph R., Philip B. and George H. had moved to and settled in Cedar township, Mitchell county, Iowa near the town of Mitchell. Thomas Clark, son of Charles and Margaret Clark had joined them in the journey from Dane county, Wisconsin to Mitchell county, Iowa.

Anthony purchased land on 78 acres of land on section 20 and the adjoining 22 acres on section 21 on which the house and farm buildings stood along the banks of the Cedar River.

On April 2, 1860, Anthony Carter and his son, Anthony R. Carter, were naturalized as citizens of the United States at Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa.

On October 20, 1882, Anthony and Emma celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their farm home. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Oliver of Mitchell and assisted by Rev. Ingham of Osage. Their friends turned out in large numbers. Emma was presented with a rocking chair and Anthony was given a large easy chair. There were a large number of gifts amounting in value of $100.

Anthony and Emma were Methodist by faith having joined in 1881 by William Manning Carter, Anthony’s nephew, at the Kildee schoolhouse located south of their farm.

Anthony Carter, Sr. passed away at his farm home in Cedar township on June 25, 1890 at the age of 81 years (note that family records state that he was born on August 23, 1809 which conflicts with the Methwold parish records listing of his birth as August 23, 1811). He was buried at Oak Grove cemetery in Mitchell, Mitchell county, Iowa, next to his son, James Carter who died February 28, 1890.

Emma (Bowen) Carter, passed away on January 9, 1892 at her farm home at the age of 81 years. She was buried next to her husband, Anthony, and son, James.

According to the Last Will and Testament of Anthony Carter, Sr., the farm was given to their son, Anthony R. Carter, Jr. and his wife, Ann, since they cared for the couple in their old age. One dollar was given to each of their surviving sons – Philip B., Joseph R. and George H. (the oldest son, Nathaniel, had passed away on February 22, 1890 in Saline county, Kansas).