Legislator Details
Portrait of John Jay Carton scanned from Men of Progress p.257.
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Mrs. Addie C. Pierson, dau. of Charles Wager of Oakland County, MI, 11/22/1898 in Ukiah, CA.
Number of Children: 0
Background
Education:
village schools in Shiawassee County, MI; Flushing, MI; and Flint, MI. Studied law books on his own.
Biographical Sketch:
Of Irish ancestry. Born one of 13 children to poor farmer parents, John and Ann (McGuire) Carton. He went out on his own at 13, taking odd jobs near schools so that he could continue his studies. He taught for 5 years. He returned to Flushing, MI in 1877 as a clerk in a drug store (for $12.50 a month). He then became the bookkeeper of general merchandise firm Niles & Cotcher. He was admitted to the bar on 8/21/1844. He became a partner of George H. Durand at Durand & Carton. He owned a farm of 200 acres in Clayton Township which includes his boyhood farm. Served as Genesee Co. Clerk, 1881-85. Member of the Masons, Knights Templar; Michigan Sovereign Consistory, Scottish Rite; Moslem Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Detroit; an Elk, Maccabee, Forester and Knight of Loyal Guard.
Notable Facts:
Delegate to Michigan state constitutional convention 13th District, 1907-08.
Death certificate gives birth date as 11/9/1857; other sources all say 11/8.