1890 Buchanan and Delaware Counties History pgs. 487-488

SAMUEL P. CARTER, one of the rising young men of Hopkinton, is a native of that town and was born October 6, 1855. His father, H. A. Carter, was born in Massachusetts in 1806, and lived there till twenty-eight years of age. In 1836 he came West as far as St. Louis, and remained there about two years. He followed the Mississippi up as far as Dubuque in 1838, and three years later came to Delaware county. He spent some time in prospecting about the county and finally concluded to locate where the present beautiful little city of Hopkinton now stands. In partnership with Mr. Jackson he bought the claim on which he subsequently laid out the present town. He turned his attention principally to farming for a few years. In 1850 he moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile business for about three years. He then returned to Hopkinton and there opened a store. The town began to grow and his business increased, until he had at one time quite a flourishing trade.

He married January 1, 1833, taking to share his life's fortunes Miss Susan Holt, who died December 4, 1850. This union resulted in the birth of eight children. Mr. Carter married again, December 15, 1853, the lady of his choice being Mary J. Nash, a native of Maine, born March 9, 1822. This union was blessed with five children, three of whom are now living, viz.-Samuel P., William N. and Hattie E.

Mr. Carter was a generous-hearted, public spirited citizen. He was always identified with the republican party, although he never engaged very actively in politics. He built the first mill in this locality and also the first bridge across the Maquoketa river. In his early days, during his residence in the East, he was engaged in raising hops, and after he came to this county he followed hop-raising quite successfully for several years. He baled the first bale of hops that was shipped from the State of Iowa. He was the first to propose the idea of having a college at Hopkinton. He died March 31, 1883, and was followed by his devoted wife, who passed from earth December 22, 1885.

Samuel P. Carter, the subject of this sketch, received a good common-school education. He entered Lenox College in 1870, and remained there three years. He was the eldest of his father's family and necessarily had to assist in the labors of the farm. At the age of twenty-three he entered the law office of J. B. Young, of Marion, Iowa, where he read law for two years, being admitted to the bar in the spring of 1880. He then returned to his native town and began the practice of his profession, at the same time looking after his father's interests. In 1883 he engaged in the raising of small fruits and has since conducted quite an extensive business in that line.

In politics he is a republican and has always been identified with that organization. He has never been an office-seeker, still he has held some positions of public trust. He has been mayor of Hopkinton for three years, and a member of the city council for two terms.

He owns one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, and has thirty-five acres in small fruits, and also owns a large number of city lots.

He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 187, A. F. and A. M., at Hopkinton, Iowa.

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