The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, page 508
Mordecai Carter, Deputy Auditor of Hendricks County, was born in Guilford Township, Hendricks County, Ind. His parents were Newlin and Beulah (Hunt) Carter, and both are descendants of pioneers of the county of about 1827. He was reared a farmer and educated in the district schools of his native place, and in the High School at Plainfield, taking a course of bookkeeping at the latter place. On reaching his majority, he traveled as a salesman for the implement house of Ewald Over of Indianapolis at times for three years, and while thus employed he sold the right of a self-opening gate, which he had invented. In 1881 he in connection with J.B. Carter, purchased a sawmill at Plainfield, which they operated one year under the firm name of J.B. & M. Carter, he retiring from the firm in October, 1882. He then became associated with S. Hiss, the firm name being Hiss & Carter dealing in farm implements, wagons, buggies and carriages. Feb.2, 1885, he was made Deputy Auditor by County Auditor John Kendall. He is a member of the Society for Friends of Plainfield. He is Secretary and Trustee of McCartey Lodge, No. 233, I.O.O.F., of Plainfield, and is also Secretary of the Hendricks County Horticultural and Agricultural Society.