California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


HON. STANTON LESTER CARTER. Upon its establishment in America the Carter family was first 
associated with the history of colonial Virginia, but more recent generations have been 
identified with the activities of the north and west. Judge Carter's father, Levi Carter, was a 
native of Jefferson county, N. Y., and during early manhood was interested in lumbering in that 
state and Canada. In 1854 he became a pioneer farmer near Mount Carroll, Carroll county, Ill., 
and from there in 1860 crossed the plains to the west. After a short time in Nevada and 
California, in 1861 he returned via Panama for the purpose of bringing his family to the coast 
with him. The little party, with Mr. Carter as captain, started on the long journey over 
mountains and deserts in 1862, joining others who had a similar destination in view. While on 
the way the party was compelled to battle with the Indians on Goose creek, in which two men 
were killed. After three months their horse-train arrived in Washoe, Nev. A short time 
afterward the Carter family proceeded to Diamond Spring, Eldorado county, Cal., and from 
there to Folsom, Sacramento county, where Mr. Carter engaged in teaming. Next he bought 
land eight miles east of Stockton and took up farm pursuits. From there he removed to the San 
Joaquin valley, and in 1868 settled in Stockton, but continued to follow farming until advancing 
years rendered further manual work impossible. His death occurred on his ranch in Stanislaus 
county at seventy-six years of age. Three weeks after his demise Mrs. Carter passed away. She 
was Fama Eve Shoup, of Canadian birth and Dutch descent. They were the parents of five 
children, of whom three sons and a daughter survive. 

The next to the oldest of the children was Stanton L. Carter, who was born in Clayton, Jefferson 
county, N. Y., January 16, 1853. His earliest recollections are associated with Illinois, for he was 
only a year old when the family settled in Carroll county. In 1862 he crossed the plains with the 
family and witnessed many memorable scenes during that eventful journey, as well as later 
when the family were undergoing the privations and dangers attendant upon life on the 
frontier and in mining regions. In 1871 he was graduated from the Stockton high school. His first 
independent work was as manager of a grain warehouse at Ceres, Cal, which he operated 
during the vacation months. In 1874 he completed the course of study in Heald's Business 
College. Previous to this he had taken up the study of law, and April 10. 1876, he was admitted 
to the bar. After gaining considerable experience through clerking in the law office of Byers & 
Elliott in Stockton, in 1878 he opened an office in Stockton, where, from 1884 to 1888, he was a 
member of the firm of Carter, Smith & Keniston. In September, 1879, he was appointed city 
attorney of Stockton to fill a vacancy and subsequently was twice elected to the office. 

Removing to Fresno in 1891, Judge Carter has since been a well-known citizen of this place. In 
1894 Governor Markham appointed him judge of the superior court of Fresno county to fill a 
vacancy in the office, and he served for two years, when, the legislature having divided the 
county and reduced the number of judges from three to two, abolishing the department over 
which he presided, he retired from the bench and resumed the practice of law. Since 1903 he 
has been a member of the firm of Carter, Ricketts & Dolph, his partners being A. H. Ricketts, 
one of the most prominent mining attorneys on the Pacific coast, and Chester V. Dolph, son of 
the late United States Senator J. N. Dolph, of Portland, Ore. The firm maintains offices in Fresno 
and San Francisco. Judge Carter acts as attorney for the Santa Fe Railroad Company, the Sanger 
Lumber Company, the Fresno Building & Investment Company, and the Reedley State Bank at 
Reedley, and served as counsel for the Emigrant Ditch Company until its consolidation with 
similar companies. He is also attorney for numerous other corporations. He is a director in 
various local companies of Fresno. Through his connection with the County Bar Association his 
influence has been further enhanced among those of his own profession. Stanchly Republican 
in his political faith, he is one of the local leaders of his party, and had the honor of acting as 
chairman of the county central committee in 1900, when William J. Bryan's majority of eleven 
hundred and ten in Fresno county in 1896 was reduced to a tie. On the organization of the 
Sequoia Club he became one of its charter members. Though not connected with any religious 
denomination, he is a contributor to the support of the Presbyterian Church, with which his 
wife is connected. Mrs. Carter, whom he married in Salt Lake City, was Armenia Oliva, a native 
of Stockton, Cal., and the daughter of pioneer parents. They have three children, Lester L., 
Royle A., and Armenia Mignon. 

Especial interest attaches to Judge Carter's association with the Knights of Pythias, for he has 
been a leader in that organization. Initiated at Stockton, he has since been active in the work of 
the order. In 1884 he was elected grand chancellor from the floor. From 1891 to 1899 he held 
office as supreme representative, and for four years of this time he was chairman of the 
judiciary committee. In the Uniform Rank he holds rank as colonel on the major-general's staff 
and is now chief tribune of the Grand Tribunal of California. The Endowment Rank also numbers 
him in its list of members. During the conclave of 1898 at Indianapolis, his name was brought 
forward for the office of supreme vice-chancellor of the order, and he lacked only eight votes 
of being elected. Throughout the order he has a host of warm personal friends, who have been 
attracted to him by those qualities of mind and heart which win admiration in every association, 
whether political, professional, fraternal or social. 

In the practice of the law, Judge Carter's labors have been rewarded with a rare measure of 
success. He entered upon his legal career unusually well equipped, with a sound foundation of 
knowledge of the principles of the science, and his ability correctly to apply these principles to 
the cases in hand has been demonstrated in a marked manner. He is now regarded as one of 
the leaders of the bar in the San Joaquin valley. Personally he is a high-minded, public-spirited 
citizen, warmly advocating all measures which, in his judgment, have for their end the 
advancement of the welfare of the community. He has become recognized as a potential factor 
in the progress and prosperity of Fresno county, and as a citizen of the highest utility in the daily 
walks of life.