Chicago eagle., 1899-02-18
HON. ZiNA r. GARTER.

Prominent among the Republicans of |
Chicago regarded by their friends as
available as candidates for the Office
of Mayor at the election next April Is
Zina Il. Carter of the West side. lie
has not announced himself as candi-
date for the Republican nomination.
and 1t Is not his present intention to an
nounce himself later on. So his friends
understand and say.
but that Mr.. Carter Is a possible. II
not probable, candidate all affirm,
while some are of the opinion that his
nomination will be brought about with
out much difficulty. However this may
turn out, the fact that he Is good deal
talked Of as one who. II Is believed,
would creditably MI the Office Of Mayor
Of Chicago makes him Of considerable
interest at this time in the minds Of
the public.
Zina r. Carter was born In Jefferson
County, New York, In 1876. and IL con.
sequently now 53 years Of age. lie was
reared on farm, and when he became
old enough TO assist in the field he work.
ed by his fathers side, or with the
hired hands. as the case might be.
While growing up to young manhood he
obtained such education as he could by
attending the common school during
the winters. But long before he had
reached his majority he had almost the
entire management Of the farm, as his
father was Interested In vessels on the
great lakes, and himself sometimes
commanded vessel on a voyage to
Cleveland or Detroit or Chicago. The
last voyage Of the kind he made In 1857
he came to Chicago and arrived here
sick Of a fever and died.
Then the entire business Of the fam.
lily dcvOlved on the young man. and
there was no further opportunity af-
fOrded him to acquire an education In
books. In 1864, or when he was %
years Of age, he was released from duty
ana labor on the paternal farmstead,
and then turned his thoughts to the
West, where he was aware there was
better land than he had been tllling IN
northern New York. and mt the moment
he had no other ambition than to own a
GOOD farm in Illinois. Families that he
had known in northern New York had
migrated to DuPage County, this State,
and these he decided to follow. For n
short time he worked as a hired hand
on a farm near the village Of Wheaton,
but he had access to books, and these
he diligently read and was melted by
them to try for some additional educa.
ton In the schools. BY studying pri'
vately he was soon prepared to begin a
course at Wheaton College, but he did
not finish It: he saw his way to get the
possession Of farm. and 10 he aban
doned the college and returned to labor
In the fields.
For six years Mr.. Carter cultivated
his farm with notable success. Ill
knew his land and how to get the mos
from Its rich soil. He still f0unt
leisure for his private study and fol
moderate participation In the semi
. public affairs Of neighbors and fellow
citizens Of the county. He took an In
tereSt In both local and State politics
. but beyond assisting to put up goO'
men for the local Offices and vOtlnl
for them he did not participate In 20
lltlcal management. During the si'
, years he lived In DuPage County. how
, ever, he acquired a good standing u
. the Republican party there and wa
= not unknown outside the county.
As a producer and shipper he 500
b. made acQuaintances and friends anon
y the commission men In Chicago, nm
o soon, too, he determined to become on
4 of their number. BY Oct. I, 1871, h
1 had made his arrangements to 20 int
3 trade In Chicago. and one week befOr
o the great fire he moved into the cit!
Q He chose the West Side as the place
@ his residence, and also where he wou'
r, do business. He engaged In the gr'
a Gerry and grain business, both und'
one roof. But preferring the graf
d trade, he sold out Of the grocery trad
o and has pursued the former ever sine
l. From the start he prOspered ana IN
h long time won for himself good poi
Is ton and name among business me
y In 1872 he became member OF II
g. Board Of Trade and has continued
al member from that time to this.
in BY using only legitimate methods
@. early came to he regarded as a co
g. servative trader, ana by continuing
IN use only legitimate methods durlr
b. the time he has been a member Of Il
O. Board OF Trade he is now regarded
an example of what prudence and mo
Of Grafton will do for an able man IN
H. atmosphere Of speculation. lie VI
he one of those who opposed the elevat
e. people In certain positions which tn
ms took with reference to the trade,
is opposition that was sustained by I
In supreme court, but not till after gre
III harm had been done to the trade a
or to the general business OF the eli
d. Likewise he has fought the bucl
he shops and dscOuntenanced so far
IN he could all bucket shop trading. ]
record Is clear and acknowledged wi
no reference to these matters.
cit He has been upon most OF the
ID p0rtant committees and held all
yn offices on the Board Of Trade. As
as member of the minor board of arbit
of ton ana appeals he has been in pc
WI tlon to be Of the greatest service
ld- his fellow members of the larger b0
,97 of commercial men. 1t Is the lei
or. mony Of many that when difflcult m
wn ters were to be settled his judgm'
has rarely been ut fault and his Ill
= a ness never. He was director OF
of Board Of Trade for number of yea
e -