A mother gave birth to her only child October 10, 1820, in Ireland. Not long after she died. Her husband, Julian Carter, emigrated to the United States, settling in Oswego, New York, the following year. The child, John L., was raised in Ireland by his grandparents.
He attended school until he was 18 and then joined the ‘constabulary’, working in this police force until 1845. At that time, age 25, he also sailed to America to work with his father for three years. Julian was a farmer, merchant and lumber manufacturer; not a poor or lazy man. While in New York, John met Jeanette Lambie who was born January 30, 1827, in Scotland (It is also possible they were acquainted as children; both fathers were businessmen. John Lambie was a dairyman and stock dealer.) The Lambies, John and Jane, came to America in 1831. Lambie died in 1834.
In 1848, at 28 years, John L., went to Michigan, probably via the Erie Canal, to look for a place to begin his own business. For two years, in Milford, he worked at a flouring mill. He and Jeanette were married April 19, 1849, when he bought 80 acres in Oakland County and farmed until 1856. By 1859, John owned 160 acres in Section 11, Brighton Township. Pleasant Valley Road runs through the far eastern portion of the property and the acreage is bounded on the south by Hyne Road. (A two page spread in the 1880 History of Livingston County displays an elegant two- story Italianate, hip-roofed house on the east side of Pleasant Valley Road, as the home of John L. Carter. (Wood fences enclose many barms and fine looking stock.) In the ensuing years the Carters own 400+ acres.
Besides farming, John accepted civic responsibilities. Prior to being elected to the 27th State legislature January 1, 1873, he had served as Supervisor of Brighton Township (1865-66, 1871-72). He had earlier served as Justice of the Peace in 1863. One must realize that serving in a township office it is both a requirement and an advantage to be aware of trends in commerce, business, education, agriculture, transportation, etc.
John & Jeanette had seven children. Martha, b. March 13, 1850, married the son of neighbors, Ezbon A. Ross. The Rosses were also large land owners. Margaret, b. April 5, 1852, did not marry. Helen. B, December 6, 1855, married Oliver Tenny, another nearby neighbor. Son John L., b. 1858, married Luise Hyne from the west side of the township. Frances, b. 1866, married Frank Lindsley, in 1890 and lived about five miles from home in Hartland Township. The other two children were twins, who died in 1854. As was all too often the case, it appears they died not long after birth. John L. died October 3, 1902 and Jeanette April 17, 1903. Both are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Oakland County, as are the unnamed twins.
Compiled by Marieanna Bair from the 1880 History of Livingston County; census records, atlasses; cemetery transcriptions: obituaries copied by Milton Charboneau.