Oliver Wichtel/William, the youngest of seven children of Emelia Leftwich (Morton) and Edward Irvin Carter, was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. When he was old enough, he followed his brothers and uncles from Virginia to California and Missouri to find a better way of life and seek his fortune. On December 30, 1888, in Cottleville, Missouri, he married Adaline Johanna Miller, daughter of Margaret Ann Arras and Charles F. Miller, of Cottleville. Shortly after their marriage, they opened a general merchandise store called The Racket Store in Jonesburg, Missouri. About a year later, they moved to Higginsville, Missouri, and opened a store there. In the spring of 1902, O.W. moved his family from Higginsville to Fortuna, Missouri, and opened the O.W. New York Racket Store. The store's name was later changed to Carter's Store and, following O.W. and his wife's deaths in 1921, was operated by his children, Helen and Virgil. Later, the store was operated by Virgil and members of his family for over 80 years, closing its doors for the last time on July 2, 1988.
Note: Oliver's middle name is not known for sure. His family in Missouri used the name "Wichtel", as they were told he was named after a wealthy bachelor in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, who was to leave him his fortune. However, the family of a nephew, "William" Oliver Carter, were told that the boy was named after his uncle, with the names reversed.
Note: Oliver's middle name is not known for sure. His family in Missouri used the name "Wichtel", as they were told he was named after a wealthy bachelor in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, who was to leave him his fortune. However, the family of a nephew, "William" Oliver Carter, were told that the boy was named after his uncle, with the names reversed.
Oliver Wichtel/William, the youngest of seven children of Emelia Leftwich (Morton) and Edward Irvin Carter, was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. When he was old enough, he followed his brothers and uncles from Virginia to California and Missouri to find a better way of life and seek his fortune. On December 30, 1888, in Cottleville, Missouri, he married Adaline Johanna Miller, daughter of Margaret Ann Arras and Charles F. Miller, of Cottleville. Shortly after their marriage, they opened a general merchandise store called The Racket Store in Jonesburg, Missouri. About a year later, they moved to Higginsville, Missouri, and opened a store there. In the spring of 1902, O.W. moved his family from Higginsville to Fortuna, Missouri, and opened the O.W. New York Racket Store. The store's name was later changed to Carter's Store and, following O.W. and his wife's deaths in 1921, was operated by his children, Helen and Virgil. Later, the store was operated by Virgil and members of his family for over 80 years, closing its doors for the last time on July 2, 1988.
Note: Oliver's middle name is not known for sure. His family in Missouri used the name "Wichtel", as they were told he was named after a wealthy bachelor in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, who was to leave him his fortune. However, the family of a nephew, "William" Oliver Carter, were told that the boy was named after his uncle, with the names reversed.
Note: Oliver's middle name is not known for sure. His family in Missouri used the name "Wichtel", as they were told he was named after a wealthy bachelor in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, who was to leave him his fortune. However, the family of a nephew, "William" Oliver Carter, were told that the boy was named after his uncle, with the names reversed.
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Siblings
