Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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NATHANIEL C. CARTER. 
 
        For nearly twenty years the subject of this sketch has been identified 
with the building up and advancing the interests of Los Angeles County.  He is 
the best known, probably, in his connection with the Sierra Madre Colony. He was 
the founder of that colony, and the father of an enterprise that eventually 
resulted in settling up one of the most desirable portions of San Gabriel 
Valley, inviting emigration and establishing a community that for intelligence, 
progressive and public-spirited enterprise and moral standing is unexcelled in 
the county. In February, 1881, Mr. Carter purchased from E. J. Baldwin 1,100 
acres of the choicest portions of the beautiful Santa Anito Ranch. This tract, 
then in its wild state, comprised the northern portion of that ranch, commencing 
at the base of the Sierra Madre
Mountains and gently sloping toward the valley.  Immediately after this purchase 
he laid out broad avenues, and subdivided the lands into twenty, forty and 
eighty acre tracts, and offered them at low prices to settlers, as the desirable 
location for self-sustaining and beautiful homes. Water was developed from the 
numerous springs and streams in the mountains on the north and piped throughout 
the colony lands. His enterprise was a success from the start. The rich and 
fertile lands, the genial climate, comparatively free from fogs and frost, the 
never-failing supply of the purest mountain water, were advantages such as few 
sections possessed, and that model colony sprang into existence as. by magic. 
Its enterprising settlers built comfortable homes, planted orchards and 
vineyards, graded avenues, erected churches and schools and other public 
buildings; and in a few years Mr. Carter, from his beautiful home at 
"Carterhia," had a view of one of the most prosperous sections of the valley. Of 
the original tract, Mr. Carter is now the owner of about 400 acres, 300 of which 
are under cultivation. One hundred and ten acres are in grapevines of the most 
approved wine and table varieties. Ten acres are in citrus fruits and an equal 
amount of land is devoted to deciduous fruits. Fifty acres are used for garden 
purposes, producing vegetables for the markets of Los Angeles and Pasadena. The 
rest of the land is used for general farming. Mr. Carter is a practical and 
thorough horticulturist and success attends his efforts in that calling. His 
home is one of the most pleasant to be found in the county or in Southern 
California. It is situated upon a sloping hill, part way up the mountain-side, 
on a jutting prominence, and commands one of the most striking, extended and 
beautiful views of the valley, Puente Hills and even the sea beyond. He has 
erected a magnificent residence, in which he has combined the conveniences and 
luxuries that characterize a well-ordered modern home. This beautiful home is 
well styled "The Crown of the Valley." Mr. Carter is a native of New England, 
dating his birth at Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1840. He was reared and schooled 
in that city, and early in life entered into mercantile pursuits as a clerk. In 
1862, in connection with his brother, he established himself in the grocery 
business, and later sold out his interest to his brother, after which he 
established an agency for the sale of sewing machines. He also, in connection 
with that business, established the manufacture of ready-made clothing and 
United States flags. The first flag made by machine work for the United States 
Government was manufactured by Mr. Carter in 1866. Mr. Carter conducted his 
enterprises in Lowell until his failing health demanded a complete change of 
climate. In 1870 he made an extended visit to Southern California, spending many 
months in visiting different sections, seeking a restoration of health. He was 
much benefited and returned to his business. It soon became manifest that 
nothing but a permanent residence in the mild climate of Southern California 
would enable Mr. Carter to prolong his life. He, therefore, in 1872, came to Los 
Angeles County and, after a winter spent in the city of Los Angeles, took up his 
residence in the San Gabriel Valley. Purchasing a portion of the Flores Ranch 
near San Gabriel, he entered into horticultural pursuits. Mr. Carter was an 
enthusiast in advocating the then comparatively unknown resources of Los Angeles 
County. He spent time and money in making known to his Eastern friends the 
Arcadia of the Pacific Coast. In 1874 he organized and established the well 
known "Carter Excursions," bringing train loads of Eastern people to visit 
California, being the pioneer in that business. He conducted these excursions 
for several seasons, or until 1881, when he purchased the Sierra Madre tract and 
took up his residence there. During his years of residence in this county Mr. 
Carter has taken a deep interest in its progress and settlement, and has been a 
strong supporter of and an active worker in the horticultural fairs, etc., that 
placed the products before the world. He was for years a member of the Sixth 
District State Agricultural Board. He has always taken a leading part in 
supporting every enterprise that tends to build up his chosen Sierra Madre. He 
was one of the original incorporators of the Sierra Madre Water Company, and has 
for years been the president of the company and among its board of directors. In 
political matters he is a Republican, and has taken a prominent position in the 
councils of that party, serving as a delegate in many of the county conventions 
and as a member of the Republican Central Committee of the county. In 1864 Mr. 
Carter married Miss Annetta M. Pierce, a native of Lowell, Massachusetts. Her 
parents, Alexis and Emeline (Butterfield) Pierce, were both natives of that 
State. Mr. Carter's parents were William and Julia (Coburn) Carter, both born in 
Massachusetts, and descendants of old New England families. From the marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Carter there are five children, viz.: Florence, now Mrs. William H. 
Mead, of Los Angeles; Arthur N., Julia F., Anita E. (the first child born in the 
Sierra Madre colony) and Phillip C.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 432
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler