Springfield-Greene
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CHARLES W. CARTER. In examining the life records of self-made men, it will invariably be found that indefatigable industry has constituted the basis of their success. True, there are other elements which enter in and conserve the advancement of personal interests, such as perseverance, discrimination and mastering of expedients; but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistent labor. It seems that Charles W. Carter realized this fact when but a boy and it has had much to do in shaping his substantial career, for he learned to rely upon himself, observe closely those things which could be of service to him and therefore he has advanced from an humble environment by his own efforts to the responsible position of foreman of the paint department of the new Frisco shops at Springfield.
Mr. Carter was born in Laclede county, near Lebanon, Missouri, January 21, 1874. He is a son of Berry Frank Carter, who was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, July 9, 1842. He was eleven years old when he moved with the family to Greene county, Missouri, locating on a farm near Springfield, where he grew up, attended school and lived many years, then moved to Laclede county, this state, and spent the last years of his life in retirement. He devoted his life to farming. He died at the age of sixty-nine years. During the Civil war he served in the Federal army. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he belonged to the Presbyterian church. He enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, early in the war and served three years, seeing considerable hard service and participating in a number of engagements. He was wounded once while in camp. He married Mary E. Headlee, a native of this county, and a daughter of James and Mary A. (Dysart) Headlee. Her death occurred on February 11, 1914, at the age of seventy-five years, her birth having occurred October .27, 138 She and her husband are both buried in Maple Park cemetery, Springfield. These parents were married, August 29, 1865, and to them the following children were born: Eliza has remained single and is living in Springfield; Emery Frank is employed in the store room of the Frisco shops, Springfield; Cora is unmarried; Edward is deceased; Charles W. of this sketch; William H. is an engineer on the Frisco, running out of Springfield.
"Jack" Carter, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Tennessee, from which state he removed to Greene county, Missouri, in pioneer days, locating on a farm near Fair Grove, in Jackson township, and died here.
Charles W. Carter grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the common and high schools of Greene county, where he was brought by his parents when young in years. He left school when sixteen years of age and began working on a farm. When a young man he served an apprenticeship as house carpenter. He began work for the Frisco railroad, April 6, 1893, as laborer, later serving an apprenticeship as painter in the locomotive and coach department. He soon became proficient and was sent out on the road as sign and depot painter, and was thus employed for a period of seventeen months during which time he was sent all over the system, after which returning to the old North Side shop where he remained till July 8, 1909, when he was placed in the new Frisco shops at Springfield, being promoted to foreman locomotive painter, which position he held until April 16, 1914, when he was appointed coach painter foreman at the new shops in connection with his duties as foreman of the locomotive paint shops, and he still holds this position, having about one hundred men on an average, under his direction. He is not only an expert in his line, but being a man of more than ordinary executive ability, knows how to handle his men so as to get the best results and at the same time retain their good will and friendship.
Mr. Carter was married, January 23, 1895, to Ida Wright, of Fayetteville, Washington county, Arkansas. She is a daughter of William T. and Mary E. (Burrow) Wright. The father was born September 2, 1844, in Illinois, his death occurred in Greene county, Missouri, September 28, 1908. Mrs. Wright was born January 17, 1848, her death occurred June 22,1888. She was born in Washington county, Arkansas, near Fayetteville. Mr. Wright devoted his life to farming. His family consisted of ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Carter three children have been born, namely: Herschel, born May 25, 1896, a sheet metal apprentice at the new shops, Springfield; Pearl, born January 3, 1901, died when two years of age; Edgar, born December 24, 1902, is attending school.
Politically, Mr. Carter is a Republican. His family belongs to the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and the Council, Temple and Shrine; also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 218, the Woodmen of the World, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Eagles.
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