History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, 1884



John Carter Biography

Dr. John S. Carter, druggist and apothecary, opposite West Park, Erie, was born in Gettysburg, Adams Co., Penn., June 13, 1808, son of Samuel and Nancy (Paxton) Carter, natives of Penn., of Irish lineage; the former was a mechanic.

Our subject received a common school training, and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Jackson, of Northumberland Co., Penn., and here he was engaged in the drug business for a time.

In 1836, he removed to Erie City and clerked in the drug store of C.F. Perkins one year, when he bought the latter out, and in 1840 moved into the Reed Block, where he remained 19 years. His brother, who died in 1861, was a partner with him till that date. Since then, Dr. Carter has conducted the business in his own name, and has been continuously engaged in trade, probably longer than any other one now in actual business in Erie City.

In 1859, he and his brother built a handsome store room, 4 stories in height, on North Park Row, filled with a stock of pure drugs.

The Doctor was married in 1836 to Julia E., daughter of Squire John D. Haverstick. Of the children born to this union but two survive - Mary, wife of Hon. E.C. Ingersoll, of Ill. (deceased); and Samuel, a resident of N.Y. City, and Pres. of the Carter Medicine Co. Mrs. Carter dying in 1845, our subject married, in 1852, Ruth, a daughter of Rev. John Ingersoll, and sister of Hon. E.C. and Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. This lady died in 1881.

The Doctor consciously taking no part in politics, professes to be a Christian of the primitive order, but is connected with no society or organization.


Source: History of Erie County, Pennsylvania; City of Erie; Chicago; Warner, Beers & Co.; 1884












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