Alexander Carter

1834 - 1928  (93 years)

• Name	Alexander Carter
  Born	15 Nov 1834	Ayton, , Berwick, Scotland   [1, 2, 3]
  Gender	Male
  Birth	Berwick on Tweed, , Northumberland, England
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114887690
  Residence	1867	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Occupation	1870	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	merchant
  Residence	1928	20 McKenzie St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-142145
  Died	12 Sep 1928	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Buried	Elora Cemetery, Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Person ID	I142145	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	Robert Carter,   b. 26 May 1789,   d. 18 Nov 1845, Cockburnspath, , East Lothian, Scotland  (Age 56 years)
  Mother	Janet Wishart,   b. 1795, of, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 8 Jun 1854  (Age 59 years)
  Married	4 Oct 1818	Coldingham, Berwickshire, Scotland   [5]
  Family ID	F15772	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Jane C. "Jean" Thomson,   b. 15 Aug 1845, , Dumfrieshire, Scotland ,   d. 5 Jul 1915, Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 69 years)
  Married	24 Apr 1867	Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada   [1, 6]
  Children	1. William Thomson Carter,   b. 31 Dec 1867, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1959  (Age 91 years)   2. Janet Wishart Carter,   b. 20 Feb 1870, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1953  (Age 82 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F36713	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  CARTER, ALEXANDER Of 20 McKenzie St., Galt, at Galt Hospital, on the morning of September 12, 1928, one of the oldest citizens of Galt. Had he lived to November 1st, he would have reached the age of 94 years. Mr. Carter was born at Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland, England and came to Canada at an early age, eighty years ago. He had spent three different periods in Galt, finally settling here in 1915. When a young man, with his brother, John, he built the Brock Road from Hamilton to Guelph. In the year 1854, he was awarded the contract for the construction of the piers of the Main Street bridge in Galt. It was while he was engaged in the grain business that Mr. Carter experienced the most exciting ups and downs of his long business career. Sometimes huge profits were made, then there would come a bad break. The result of the operations of the market might be that fortunes would melt away overnight. After one such hard bump, Mr. Carter moved to Elora, where he went into the handling of farm produce. He lived there until 1915, when he again returned to Galt. Until eighteen months ago, he regularly took his walks downtown from McKenzie St. and seldom missed a visit to the public library, where he would be seen in the afternoon at the table containing scientific periodicals. Mr. Carter had been a Liberal all his life, only once putting in his vote for a Conservative. Since his return to Galt, Mr. Carter has enjoyed the evening of his life, being particularly fond of gardening and he could be found at the proper season, amongst his beloved flowers. Surviving are two sons, F. C. and W. T., both of Toronto; three daughters, Alexandria and Janet of Galt; and May of New York. -Information from the death certificate: Born in Scotland on Nov. 1, 1835, son of Robert Carter and Janet Wishart. Died in Galt Hospital on Sept. 12, 1928, aged 94 years. Informant - Miss Carter of McKenzie St. in Galt, his daughter. Burial in Elora. A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark ____________________________ CARTER, GEORGE HUME One of Guelph's oldest citizens, on Wednesday evening, August 11, 1909, at his home on Delhi St., of an internal trouble of several years standing. His strong constitution and indomitable will enabled him to reach the ripe age of almost 82 years, his birthday being on next Sunday, August 15th. About two months ago, Mr. Carter was operated on at the Guelph General Hospital but though the operation was successful in giving relief from pain, the trouble had become so deep seated that it gradually overcame him. In his death Western Ontario loses one of her well-known contractors in the latter quarter of the 19th century. Born at Ayton, Berwickshire, Scotland on August 15, 1827, he was one of a family of fifteen, ten of whom grew to maturity, six brothers and four sisters. Along with his mother, brothers and sisters, his father having been accidentally killed in the old land, he emigrated to Canada in 1847, coming direct to Hamilton, where he remained until 1849. In that and the following year, Mr. Carter, along with his brother, John, formerly of Brock Road, now deceased, built the Dundas Road from Guelph to Morriston. During the next twenty years, the firm built a goodly number of Western Ontario roads, among which are portions of the Elora Road; the Erin and Guelph Road; the plank road from Oil Springs to Wyoming; part of the then Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway, near Goderich; part of the old Great Western Railway, near St. George; part of the P. H. and D. Railway, near Port Huron; the first bridge over the Grand River on Main St. in Galt; the bridge across the Irvine River to Elora and many other public works. The last contract tendered for by the firm was the Guelph Junction Railway in 1889. In January 1868, Mr. Carter married Annie, youngest daughter of the late Peter McArthur of Erin Road and retiring from contracting, settled on his farm "Hill End" in Guelph Township, which he had previously purchased and where he lived in retirement until three years ago, when he moved to Guelph and built a residence on Delhi St. Survived by his widow and a family of five, one boy, Peter, having died in childhood. The survivors are Rev. George W., M. A., formerly of Keewatin; Dr. John R. in the western States; Catherine E., widow of A. M. McDonald of Erin; Mrs. James Green of 105 Edinburgh Rd, Guelph; and Miss Jennie D., at home. Of Mr. Carter's brothers and sisters, only three now survive, Alex Carter, grain buyer of Elora; Mrs. Thomas Robson of Brantford; and Mrs. Robert Hill of Burlington, Iowa. Mr. Carter was a life-long Presbyterian, being for several years past, the oldest member of Knox Church, Guelph and the oldest elder in the church's history, having held the office for upwards of sixty years. He was also founder of No. 1 Union Sunday School, Guelph Township and was superintendent for several years. In politics, he was a staunch Reformer. In disposition, he was quiet and inoffensive, being a true friend and an obliging neighbour, having nothing to say but good of anyone. Active in intellect, strong of will, determined of purpose and quick in perception and movement, he always brought to a successful issue whatever he took in hand. He was a consistent Christian man and a firm believer in immortality. Twenty hours before his death, he led in the usual evening prayer. -Information from the death certificate: Born Aug. 15, 1827 in Ayton, Berwickshire, Scotland, son of Robert Carter and Jennie Wishart of Ayton. Occupation - contractor. Died Aug. 11, 1909, at age 82 years. Certified by Rev. George W. Carter of 47 Delhi St. in Guelph. A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark ___________________________________ CARTER, JAMES The funeral of Mr. Carter Sr., who passed was on Thursday night, August 16, 1906, was held from the homestead below the Ontario Agricultural College the afternoon of August 21 at 1: 30. Service was conducted at the house and at the grave by Rev. George W. Carter, assisted by Rev. Charles McWilliams, who was here on a visit from his home in the west, both clergymen being nephews of Mr. Carter. Pallbearers were three sons, William, John and George; his son-in-law, William Harrison; his brother, Alexander of Elora; and Charles Drew of Guelph. Mr. Carter was born at Halowdown, Berwickshire, Scotland nearly 88 years ago. In 1847, he came to Canada accompanied by his wife and children and settled in Hamilton, where he lived for one year. From Hamilton, he went to Waterdown, where he engaged in the brick manufacturing business until 1849. Then, he came up to this section, being a contractor in the work of macadamizing the Brock Road from Guelph to Freelton. On the completion of this work, he took contracts with the old Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway and the Great Western Railway for grading and construction work at Copetown, Harrisburg and Paris. In 1854, he and his brother, the late John Carter, built the bridge over the Grand River on Main St. in Galt and after filling other contracts for work in Waterloo County, including the bridge at Conestoga village, he gave up contracting and took up farming on the homestead near the College, where he lived the remainder of his years and where he died on Thursday evening, although for the past thirty years, he has taken no part in the active work of the farm. As a farmer, Mr. Carter was most enterprising and it is noteworthy that he was the first in the section to introduce a reaper, a machine that was, in its time, the object of a very considerable curiosity on the part of his neighbours and the farmers of the township generally. He introduced the machine because he objected to paying $3. a day for hired help in the field and although it was not to be compared in point of convenience with the binders of today, as it had to be practically taken to pieces to alter the height at which the blade worked from the ground, yet it served its purpose. Mr. Carter also sold one of the first fat steers to be disposed of in the then new market house; it was at a Christmas fair and the late George Hood was the purchaser and so good did the latter find the beef that he sent a prime ? of the feeder for his Christmas dinner. Mr. Carter was married in ? to Jean McGill(?) of Churnside in Berwickshire, who predeceased him twenty-seven years ago. They had a family of six: James of St. Thomas; William of Guelph; Mrs. Harrison and John on the homestead; George, a veterinary surgeon in Saginaw, Ml; and Robert, deceased. Mr. Carter is also survived by two brothers and two sisters, George H. of Guelph; Alexander of Elora; Mrs. Thomas H?son of Brantford; and Mrs. Robert ? of Burlington. Mr. Carter was a man of notable industry and energy, was very successful in the handling of men and was shrewd and enterprising in business affairs. No man in the township was better known than he was in his earlier days and he was always held in the highest respect and confidence. In politics, he was a Liberal and in religion, a member of the Church of England. At the time of his death, he was the oldest resident of Guelph Township. A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark _____________________ CARTER, JOHN At his residence in Puslinch, on Monday night, the 12th June 1893, in his 72nd year. One of the most prominent and respected residents of Puslinch and also well known beyond this neighbourhood. On Monday, the 5th, he was in his usual health and was in town (Guelph) on that day. On Tuesday morning, following what he supposed to be an attack of inflammation of the bowels and after suffering for almost a week, he succumbed to the trouble. His two sons, Robert and John are expected to arrive from New Jersey this evening (June 13th). Late on Thursday, Mr. Thomas Todd received a message that his brother- in-law, living on his farm about three miles from Guelph, was seriously ill and that his life was despaired of. Directly on getting the message, Mr. Todd drove to his residence to find Mr. Carter very ill but some favourable symptoms having shown themselves, it was then thought he would recover. Returning home before daybreak next morning, Mr. Todd left him apparently decidedly better and Mr. Carter continued to improve until he was able to get up and dress himself and despite the remonstrances of his attendants, went out. That was evidently a lull in the disease or he then caught cold, for a chill supervened and the progress of his illness from that time became rapid until ulceration of the bowels. He was born in the village of Coldingham, Scotland, eight miles north of the Tweed, on the 22nd March 1822. After getting a parish school education, he stayed with his father, who was a road contractor and miller and learned these occupations. After his father's death in 1845, he and five brothers, four sisters and their mother left Scotland for Canada and landed in Hamilton in May 1847. They had a very stormy passage and five weeks were spent in crossing the Atlantic. They stayed one year in Hamilton, where they became acquainted with William Cook, a government contractor, who had just contracted to make the Dundas and Guelph road. On his advice, the family moved to Guelph, where for the next two years, the brothers were engaged in making the northern portion of the Brock Road. When the road was finished, two of the brothers left, one going to Australia, the other to the States. The remaining brothers contracted with Farewell and Zimmerman and did a large quantity of work at Fa???ld's Creek, now Harrisburg. After this, they built ten miles of the Buffalo and Lake Huron Road from Paris west. In 1854, they erected the Main St. bridge across the Grand River at Galt to take the place of the wooden structure carried away by the freshet that spring. They were practical men at the work and completed their contract in a satisfactory manner, the best evidence of which is in the fact that the same piers have subsequently defied the severe freshets of later years and carried all the superstructures, which have since been erected. Next, they were engaged building a part of the Grand Trunk at Port Huron and constructed the plank road from Wyoming to Oil Springs. They gravelled the Galt streets in 1855 and afterwards made a large portion of the gravel roads in this county. After making the Erin Road in 1867, Mr. Carter retired to his farm on the Brock Road, where he remained until his death. In 1860, he married Maggie Wilson, youngest daughter of John Wilson of Peak Hill Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They had three sons and three daughters, the second son dying in infancy. Mrs. Carter died in 1871. Of the five surviving children, two sons are veterinary surgeons. The eldest, Robert, has for some years had charge of the extensive establishment of thoroughbred blood horses owned by Mr. Lorillard near Philadelphia. John has a large practice, also near Philadelphia. His daughters are: Mrs. Drew of Guelph and Misses Jennie and Mary, who reside with their aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Todd at Galt and are prominent in the social life of the town. On the death of her mother, Miss Mary, then a babe of about a week old, was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Todd, with whom she has since lived. When she was ten years of age, Miss Jennie took up residence with Mr. Todd in order to attend school here and except for short intervals, has made her uncle's residence her home. Of the family who came here in 1847, eight remain. Their mother died in Galt in 1854. Robert, who did business in grain buying, died in Elora in 1885 and now John. Mr. Carter was a Reformer in politics and in that, as in other things he wrought with energy and confidence, it may be said he was steadfast and unmoveable. Whenever election day came, he was ready to work heartily for the cause. In religion, he was a Presbyterian, having joined the Church of Scotland at the age of 15. He was a member of Knox Church for forty-five years, a trustee and manager for many years and took a lively interest not only in the church's erection but also in whatever tended to its prosperity. He leaves many warm friends, who will long remember his frank and open salutation and interesting conversation. He died as he had lived in the faith and assurance of a happy and eternal life beyond. The funeral took place at 1 on Thursday from his residence. It was one of the largest that has been held in Puslinch for some time and was attended by a great many from Puslinch and Guelph townships and the city. Rev. R. J. Beattie conducted the service. Interment at Union Cemetery. Pallbearers: Robert Forbes, James Goldie, Thomas Laidlaw, John Thomson of Hamilton, Donald Guthrie, M. P. P. and James Innes, M. P. Mr. Carter leaves a considerable estate. -Information from the marriage certificate: Margaret Wilson Carter, age 27, daughter of John Carter and Margaret Wilson, married Charles Drew on Dec. 10, 1893. A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark ______________ Name: Ruth Auwarter Kaufmann | E-mail: wait2k@canada.com | IP: 24.222.109.230 I am seeking information about the family of my great grandfather, John Carter, b. 1822, Coldingham, emigrated to Canada 1848 to Puslinch, Ontario. His father was Robert Carter and his mother was Janet Wishart. Robert Carter was killed in a railway accident at Cockburnspath in 1845 and Janet Wishart Carter and her (grown) children went to Canada.

  
  

• Sources

  [S55] Vit - ON, Wellington - Wellington County Marriage Register 1858-1869. Alexander Carter Birth Place: Scotland Residence: Galt Age: 28 Estimated birth year: abt 1839 Father Name: Robert Carter Mother Name: Janet Wishart Spouse Name: Jane Thompson Spouse's Age: 21 Spouse Birth Place: Scotland Spouse residence: Guelph Spouse Father Name: William Thompson Spouse Mother Name: Jane Thompson Marriage Date: 24 Apr 1867 Marriage County: Wellington [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114887690/alexander-carter. [S2181] Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910. Name:Alexander Carter Gender:Male Birth Date:15 Nov 1834 Birth Place:, Ayton, Berwick, Scotland Baptism Place:, Ayton, Berwick, Scotland Father: Robert Carter Mother: Janet Wishart FHL Film Number:1067865 [S573] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Galt - Union Presbyterian Church. Janet Wishart Carter Born 20 Feb 1870 Galt Parents Alexr. Carter & Jane Thomson baptized 01 May 1870 Occupation: Merchant [S2181] Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910. Name:Robert Carter Gender:Male Marriage Date:04 Oct 1818 Marriage Place:Coldingham,Berwick,Scotland Spouse: Janet Wishart FHL Film Number:1067869 [S31] News - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Dumfries Reformer (1850-1892), 1 May 1867. Thompson, Jane married 24 Apr 1867 to Alex. Carter At Fairy Knowe [sic], Guelph Twp., by Rev. W.S. Ball. Groom, of Galt; bride, of Guelph.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 15 Nov 1834 - Ayton, , Berwick, Scotland Birth - - Berwick on Tweed, , Northumberland, England Residence - 1867 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 24 Apr 1867 - Guelph City, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada Occupation - merchant - 1870 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1928 - 20 McKenzie St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 12 Sep 1928 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Elora Cemetery, Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth