J. M. Carter, M.D.
Dr. J. M. Carter, a leading physician and public-spirited citizen of this county, is a native of Wayne County, Indiana, where he was born August 5, 1839. During his years of infancy his father died, and when his mother remarried he found himself dominated by a step-father, who was exacting and abusive. Instead of enjoying the privileges of the average youths of the land, he was required to labor without holiday, and found himself denied all educational privileges, so that he attained the age of seventeen without the ability to either read or write. No longer willing to endure the harsh treatment of his step-father, he abandoned home when seventeen, and commenced the struggle of life independently and unassisted, making something of a home with Joseph C. Ratlilf, near Richmond, Indiana. He devoted two years to work and attendance at school. In 1858 he entered White Water Academy, of Centreville, where he attended one year, paying his way by serving as janitor of the institution. In 1859 he went to Crawfordsville, and entered Wabash College, where, without money or books with which to start, he worked his way through until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Zouave Regiment, under command of Col. Lewis Wallace. After three months’ service he re-enlisted in the Forty seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under command of Col. James R. Slack, and served with his regiment something over two years, when he veteraned with his company and regiment, and served until finally discharged December 25, 1865, at Indianapolis, Indiana. During his veteran service he carried with him certain medical works, to the study of which he devoted all the time at his command. Alter leaving the army he went to Cincinnati, and pursued his medical studies under Prof. D. D. Bramble, and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medlclne and Surgery in the class of 1868. In August of the same year he came to this county, and locating at Jackson Centre commenced the practice of medicine. By attention to the details of the profession and hard study, he has built up a large and lucrative practice, while by his interest in public affairs and local improvements he has won the respect and approval of a whole social community. He was married November 5, 1868, to Miss Mary C. Savage, of Centreville, Indiana. About a year since he completed an elegant residence at Jackson Centre, and has surrounded himself by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Like in the case of all self-made men, being determined to rise in the world, no force could keep him down, and that determination is his chief characteristic to-day. Being a man of positive force, he knows no compromises, and if he exhibits a weakness at any time it will be on the side of over-enthusiasm. He has as yet known no such thing as failure in his undertakings, which are pushed forward with an unwavering faith and unfaltering purpose. This county will undoubtedly hear more of him hereafter, and have an opportunity to give its estimate of a hard-working, self-made, public-spirited citizen.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883