Simon F. Carter

    Simon F. Carter, ex-Recorder and Clerk of Benton County, was born in Fountain County, Indiana, April 30, 1837, and is a son of Absalom and Barbara A. (Conrad) Carter, natives of Ohio. Soon after the birth of Simon F., his father died, after which his mother removed to Warren County, where she married Hiram Wilkenson. To this marriage were born six children, and in 1848 the family removed to Oak Grove, now a part of Grant Township, Benton County, where Mr. Wilkenson died in 1852. Mrs. Wilkenson is living, and resides in Oxford.

    Simon F. Carter, in 1854, began learning the brickmason's trade, but was afflicted with white swelling, which unfitted him for heavy work. In 1855, he entered the printer's trade on the Oxford Evening Mail, the first newspaper published in Benton County. Mr. Carter became proprietor and editor in 1858. He changed the name of his paper to Benton County Expositor, continuing this as a local county periodical, independent in politics, for a few months; then sold out to Calvin Snyder, and the same year was appointed Postmaster at Oxford, in connection with which he handled ready made clothing. In 1860, he was elected County Recorder, serving two terms. Soon after the expiration of these terms, he became connected with the Oxford Tribune, but in 1873 severed his connection with this paper to enter the County Clerk's office as Deputy. In 1874, he was elected principal in this office, to succeed Capt. Scott, as a compromise candidate. At the end of four years, he was re-elected on the Republican ticket, and served another term of four years. In November, 1882, he was admitted to the bar of Benton County, since when he has been engaged in legal pursuits.

    Mr. Carter has been twice married; first in 1862, to Ann Harper, who bore him three children -Laura B. (deceased), Frank and one that died in infancy. The mother departed this life March 17, 1867. In January, 1869, he married his present wife, Allie Miller, and to this union one daughter, Eva Anna has been born. Mrs. Carter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Carter has become known all over the Union as a breeder of choice poultry.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.