Smyrna times., 1907-01-30
DEATH OF JOSEPH E. CARTER.
Prominent Citizen of Smyrna Dies Suddenly at
Lakeland, Florida, Whittier He Went Few
Weeks Ago For His fieaIth-funeral.

Joseph E. Carter, one of the most
beloved aud popular citizens of Smyr-
ma, a prominent horticulturist and one
of the leading business men of the
community, died suddenly of neuralgia
of the heart, at Lakeland, Florida, at
"a o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
The sad intelligence reached Smyrna
Wednesday evening, just after the
Times had been issued, in telegram
to Mr.. Charles R. Massey, brother-in-
law of the deceased. While it was
known to many that Mr.. Carter was in
poor health, nevertheless his sudden
death was severe shock to his friends
of Smyrna and vicinity who had, hoped
that his sojourn South would benefit
his health. Those who bid him good
bye when he left few weeks ago with
his wife and Mr.. and Mrs. E. W. Lap
ham for Florida, little thought the end
was so near Mr.. Carter had been
taking in some points of interest in the
orange belt with Mr.. Frank Denney,
representative for the John p Wilson
Commission House, of Philadelphia.
He felt no ill effects until Tuesday
when he had slight heart attack. He
recovered from this and Wednesday
seemed in bright and cheerful mood.
After eating his dinner he suffered an
other attack and asked his wife to send
for doctor. BY the time the latter
arrived his life was extinct. The re-
mains were brought to Smyrna aud
reached here Saturday morning.
Deceased Led an Active and Busy Life.
The death of Joseph E. Garter re-
moves one of Smyrna's most repre-
sentative citizens. He was son of the
late John Carter and Mrs. Mary H.
Carter of this town, and was born in
West Hartelpool, England, August 10,
1856. When but five years OF age he
came with his parents to the United
States. After spending about year
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the
family moved to Smyrna. When the
deceased was old enough to learn a
trade, he selected painting and paper
hanging and served an apprenticeship
in Philadelphia before coming tc
/ Smyrna. Mr.. Garter went into bust.
ness for himself and success met his
efforts from the start. By his industry
and frugalitY he built up large trade
which he relinquished about three
years ago when he sold out to Harvey
Jones. Some years before he pur
chased the Chestnut Hill Fruit
Farm" west of Clayton. This new
vocation was subject that interested
him from the start. He loved the out
door life and he studied farming lik
he did his own business and acquaintet
himself with the latest and most scien
titic methods of horticulture. The re
suit was that he soon became a leadin,
horticulturist and a recognized au
thority on the growing of grapes ant
plums. his grape vineyard being tn
largest and most productive of an
J vineyard in the state of Delaware. A
short time ago he visited the crap
: belt of New York State and last ia
was in Ohio. By study and travel
compared methods with the idea O
continually improving his own, and
was this progressive spirit that mad
him strong factor in the State Grang
! and other agricultural organization
In his busy life he always found tim
to devote to his church, the sewers
secret societies, and to the Board
Trade of Smyrna, to all of which
: rendered efficient and valuable servic,
He was one of the active members
Asbury NJ. E. Church and his servit
> on the Board of Stewards and as
; member of the Finance Committee an
. as Treasurer of the Sunday School wi
. be greatly missed. He was also men
!; Der of Harmony Lodge No. 13 "A.
{. and A. NJ; Morning Star Lodge No.
l. o. O. f.; Smyrna Conclave No.
a l. 0. H.; Mizpah Lodge No. 16 A.
s U. W., and Smyrna Grange No. 81
: of H.
His Domestic Life Was Very Happy One
| Mr.. Carter's domestic life was a
4 exceedingly happy one. In 1884 /
/ was united in marriage to Miss EIizt
i beth Massey, daughter of the la
r Henry 2. Massey, a weIl-known an
prominent farmer west of Claytoi
$ Their devotion for one another wi
o deeply manifest and much sympatf
j is extended the widow in her bereav
ment. Besides his widow he is su
vived by his aged mother, Mrs. Ma
Fl. Garter, of this town, and thr
brothers and one sister as follow
" Mrs. Samuel Armstrong, near Smyrn
Mr., George Carter, of the New Yol
: Press; Mr.. Fred Carter, OF the w
IA