Nose Flute Pioneers : William G. Carter - Part III

With the "Nose Flute Pioneers" series, Noseflute.org enters a little cycle of research. I hope it won't be too arid for a blog, but I really think that the facts I found have to be published. The sources : Google patents, US Census and an access to newspaper archives. But also, depending on the topic, correspondence by e-mail with descendants. Let's better say : internet searching tools available for a Frenchie not able to access US real paper archives.

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Nose Flute Pioneers : William Carter - Part III

William Carter : Last years and descent


[sequel of Part I and Part II]

In 1909, the Carters move to Rochester, NY, in the S-W part of the city, near the Genesee river. Rochester is a big city, just 35 miles East from Albion and with 220.000 inhabitants.

Rochester downtown :


They rent a flat at 101 Bartlett street. Elizabeth is still milliner (does she also rent the shop just below?) and William, on his side, has (finally!) a workshop. It is located... exactly across the street. Both are noted as "Emp." on the 1915 census sheet.
In 1915, James Adelbert (20) is "shipping clerk" at the "Gerenal Ry Signal Co.", Mary Louise (17) is "billing clerk" and Mabel Elizabeth (15) is still at school.



1915 census :


On the other side of the street, the workshop has been skimmed over since...

In 1917, Adelbert (22 yrs old) is called to serve the USA for their participation in the WWI. Was he sent to Europe?



So, we learn that Adelbert is short and stout, has got blue eyes and black hair.

The 1918 city directory is quite informative : The carters have moved to 8 Day place (half of the house shown below, if it dates from that time). James A. is still serving the USA, but the girls have disappeared (Mabel is freshly married but not Louise...) Is William retired? We know he should have been already sick... Whatever the answer, he has no workshop anymore.



Indeed, in the 1919 city directory, we can read that William died March 10, 1919., at the age of 72 or 73.



According to Richard O'Brien, who's probably a descendant of Elizabeth's family and who let this notice about Carter, William died of a « Cirrhosis (explanation was influenza ». Besides the wrong year of his death, and after asking some specialist, influenza cannot be the cause of a cirrhosis.



However, besides alcoholism, a cirrhosis can find its origin in a viral hepatitis or a metabolic syndrom, or even some other toxic causes, for instance heavy metals... (for a tinsmith, spending his time welding, this could be imaginable).

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In 1923, the Carters have moved from #8 to #27, Day place, and in 1924 are located at 97, Chamberlain. They rent a room to a bookbinder, Winslow Russel.



In 1927, Mabel married Leo John McGahan. They live in Springfield, MA., and
have one son the same year, John Joseph (Feb.5, 1927).

Elizabeth, James A. and M. Louise moved to 1 Salina St.

The same year, James Adelbert married Rena B. (born in 1895 in Nova Scotia). They first move to 23 Delmar St., then to Syracuse, 1803 Colvin St. They will have 2 twin children, James Blair and Nancy Jane.



In 1929 or 30, it's the turn of Mary Louise to marry, and Elizabeth, probably feeling alone, begins a work as social worker, and moves to 4 Porthsmouth terrace.
Also, the McGahans have a daughter, Mary C.

In 1931, a new daughter is born in James & Rena's home, Shirley Elizabeth. Before 1935, Elizabeth has stopped to work and has moved to 7 Thorndale terrace: she is hosted by James and Rena.

In the 1940 census sheet we learn that in 1935, James Adelbert Carter had moved to Buffalo, NY. Leo and Mabel lives in Grand Island, NY. But later in the 30s, they are back to Rochester. Leo John is "sales and head manager in Heating", and has earned $1400 in 1939) and in 1940, they host Elizabeth:



In 1940, James A. and his family are back to Rochester too., 248 Sherwood ave. James Adelbert has become "machinery salesman" and earned $3900 (in 1939).



In 1947, the McGahans and Elizabeth M., moved to 122 Warwick ave.

1949 is the last apparition of Elizabeth M. in the city directory, and she doesn't appear in the 1950 census sheet. It is quite obvious she had passed away, at the age of 87.



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- I have lost the trace of James  Adelbert Carter, and don't know when he died [William's son].
- Mary Louise died in 1969 [William's daughter].
- Mabel Elizabeth passed away in 1984. [William's daughter]

- I lost the trace of James Blair from 1940 [William's grandson, who might have inherited of William's papers].
- John Joseph McGahan died Nov. 3, 1993. [William's grandson]

- Mary C. (born McGahan) is still alive (she's 83) [William's granddaughter]
- John Joseph had 1 daughter and 3 sons (names unknown), and they are all alive [William's great-grand-children].



William G. Carter is elected, with no discussion, to The Nose Flute Hall of Fame, as with Honorary degree!


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On the same topic :

- Nose Flute Pioneers: William G. Carter - Part I
- Nose Flute Pioneers: William G. Carter - Part II
- Nose Flute Pioneers: William G. Carter - Part III
- Nose Flute Pioneers: Ernest W. Davis - Part I
- Nose Flute Pioneers: Ernest W. Davis - Part II
- Nose Flute Pioneers: Nelson Ronsheim
- Nose Flute Pioneers: Garrett J. Couchois

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