MRS. ELLEN J. CARTER, widow of John Carter, is a native of Mt. Pleasant township, a daughter of Matthew Kemps, who was born in Ireland. He was married to Nancy Peoples, and their children were eight in number, as follows: John, James Peoples, Elizabeth Ann, David, Ellen Jane. Thomas Slater, Samuel and Matthew McNary, all born in Washington county. The mother of this family died in 1850, and the father afterward moved to Sigoiurney County, Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his life. Ellen J. Kemps was married in August, 1865, to John Carter, a native of Washington county, son of William Carter, who was born in Scotland and was married to Ann McKee. In 1819 they immigrated to America, locating in Washington county, Penn., near the town of Washington, but afterward moved to Mt. Pleasant township, same county, where they died. They had seven children, viz.: Margaret, Robert, Janet, Maria, John, Thomas and Margaret Ann. John Carter was born in 1826, near Washington, Penn., and received a limited education in the schools of Mt. Pleasant township, commencing to work on the farm when but ten years of age. After his marriage to Miss Kemps he bought the farm where his son is now living, which contains 220 acres, and devoted his time to its cultivation and improvement. Three children were born to this union: William H., married to Maggie White, who bore him one daughter: Margaret Hazel (they are living on the home farm); Leila Ada, a graduate of Curry University, Pittsburgh, Penn., and Robert Leander, a student at the academy, in Hickory, Penn. Mr. Carter was actively interested in politics, voting with the Republican party, but preferring to devote the greater part of his time to private business and domestic pleasures. He died in 1877, in Mt. Pleasant township, deeply mourned by all who knew him as a good friend and honorable, useful citizen. His widow is yet residing on the old homestead. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, at Hickory, with which her husband was also connected.

Text taken from page 515 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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