The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Guilford Township, pages 617-618
John M. Carter is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born May 16, 1832, the only son of David and Ruth (Hadley) Carter, natives of North Carolina, who moved to Ohio with their parents, where they were married, and in 1822 moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled on a tract of heavily timbered land which is now the site of the town of Plainfield. David Carter at one time owned 600 acres of land and at the time of his death owned 500 acres. His wife died about 1871 and he in 1881. They were members of the Christian church, of which he was for several years an Elder. Their family consisted of nine children, one son and eight daughters--Jane, Matilda, Mary, Martha A., John M., Sarah, Orpha, Ara M. and Zipporah. John M. Carter spent his youth on his father's farm and after his marriage settled on a tract of wild land, of which he made a good farm, on which he lived till 1864, when he moved to Plainfield and engaged in the mercantile business. He afterward returned to his farm, and remained till 1870, when he again engaged in the mercantile business till 1874. He then lived on the farm till 1883, and since that year has lived retired from active business. He still owns his farm in Washington Township, which contains 183 acres of valuable land, with a good residence and farm buildings, and is now occupied by his son. Mr. Carter has served four years as Township Clerk. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which for the past fifteen years he has served as Deacon, and at present is Superintendent of the Sunday school. He was married in 1852 to Susan Wells, and to them have been born two children--David W., and Mary, wife of Dr. J.T. Strong. In politics Mr. Carter is a staunch Republican.