Harley High Cartter
Encyclopedia
Harley High Cartter, Sr. (March 23, 1810 – September 17, 1874), born Harlehigh Cartter, was an American
jurist
who served as Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Arizona Territory
and President of the Council during the 6th Arizona Territorial Legislature
.
, New York
on March 23, 1810 to David Kellog and Elizabeth (Hollister) Cartter. Ohio
Congressman David Kellogg Cartter
was his brother.
He was living in Macomb County, Michigan
where he served as justice of the peace
. On September 14, 1834, Cartter married Jane Louisa Scranton. The couple had seven children.
In 1837, Cartter was admitted to the bar. He was elected to a two year term as Macomb County district attorney
beginning in 1842, the same year he moved to Mount Clemens, Michigan
. Cartter was twice elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving in 1845 and 1850.
Cartter was nominated by President Andrew Johnson
to replace Joseph P. Allyn
in early 1867. Despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Jacksonian
, he was confirmed by a Republican
controlled Senate. The new judge set sail from New York City
with his son, Harley High Jr., and crossed Nicaragua
before reaching San Francisco in mid-July. He finally reached La Paz, Arizona Territory
in September. Upon assuming his new office, he changed his name from "Harlehigh" to "Harley High".
After reaching his new home, Catter proceeded to Prescott
to attend the October 5, 1867 session of the territorial supreme court. After meeting him, the Arizona Miner described him as "a fine old gentleman, an able lawyer, and a sound Democrat". The new judge was an outspoken supporter of developing Arizona's natural resources. Threats from the indigenous population were the primary obstacle to developing the resources and Cartter felt the Federal government
was dedicating too much effort with Reconstruction at the expense of the American West. He did feel that better times would soon be at hand as he predicted a Democratic
victory during the 1868 U.S. presidential election.
Following a Republican victory in 1868, Ulysses S. Grant
replaced Cartter with a candidate more agreeable to the new president. After his replacement, Isham Reavis
, arrived in August 1869 he opened a private practice in La Paz. Newspaper notices for his practice stated, "Will attend to business in all the court of the Territory." Forseeing the decline of La Paz's fortunes, he lived briefly in Ehrenberg
before settling in Prescott in September 1870. Two years later, Cartter brought his son into his legal practice, forming the firm of "H.H. Cartter and Son."
In November 1870, Cartter was elected to the upper house of the 6th Arizona Territorial Legislature
. During the session the Council President, Daniel H. Stickney, died and Cartter was selected to replace him.
Cartter died in Prescott on September 17, 1874 after suffering from paralysis
. He was buried there, most likely in Citizens Cemetery, but no marker remains to mark his grave.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jurist
Jurist
A jurist or jurisconsult is a professional who studies, develops, applies, or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage...
who served as Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
and President of the Council during the 6th Arizona Territorial Legislature
6th Arizona Territorial Legislature
The 6th Arizona Territorial Legislative Assembly was a session of the Arizona Territorial Legislature which met in Tucson beginning on January 11, 1871, and running till February 14, 1871.-Background:...
.
Biography
Cartter was born in LowvilleLowville (town), New York
Lowville is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 4,548 at the 2000 census. The town is near the center of the county and is southeast of the city of Watertown. Lowville contains a village also named Lowville, which is the county seat. The town of is named after...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on March 23, 1810 to David Kellog and Elizabeth (Hollister) Cartter. Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
Congressman David Kellogg Cartter
David Kellogg Cartter
David Kellogg Cartter was a U.S. Representative from Ohio, and later a diplomat and federal judge.Born in Jefferson County, New York, Cartter pursued preparatory studies, reading law in Rochester, New York to be admitted to the bar there in 1832...
was his brother.
He was living in Macomb County, Michigan
Macomb County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 788,149 people, 309,203 households, and 210,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,640 people per square mile . There were 320,276 housing units at an average density of 667 per square mile...
where he served as justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
. On September 14, 1834, Cartter married Jane Louisa Scranton. The couple had seven children.
In 1837, Cartter was admitted to the bar. He was elected to a two year term as Macomb County district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
beginning in 1842, the same year he moved to Mount Clemens, Michigan
Mount Clemens, Michigan
Mount Clemens is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 17,312. It is the county seat of Macomb County.-Early history:...
. Cartter was twice elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving in 1845 and 1850.
Cartter was nominated by President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
to replace Joseph P. Allyn
Joseph P. Allyn
Joseph Pratt Allyn was an American jurist and journalist who served as one of the original Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Arizona Territory.-Background:...
in early 1867. Despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Jacksonian
Jacksonian democracy
Jacksonian democracy is the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man typified by American politician Andrew Jackson and his supporters. Jackson's policies followed the era of Jeffersonian democracy which dominated the previous political era. The Democratic-Republican Party of...
, he was confirmed by a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
controlled Senate. The new judge set sail from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with his son, Harley High Jr., and crossed Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
before reaching San Francisco in mid-July. He finally reached La Paz, Arizona Territory
La Paz, Arizona
La Paz was a short-lived, early gold mining town along the Colorado River in La Paz County on the western border of the U.S. state of Arizona. It was the location of the La Paz Incident in 1863, the westernmost confrontation of the American Civil War. The town was settled in 1862 in what was then...
in September. Upon assuming his new office, he changed his name from "Harlehigh" to "Harley High".
After reaching his new home, Catter proceeded to Prescott
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. It was designated "Arizona's Christmas City" by Arizona Governor Rose Mofford in the late 1980s....
to attend the October 5, 1867 session of the territorial supreme court. After meeting him, the Arizona Miner described him as "a fine old gentleman, an able lawyer, and a sound Democrat". The new judge was an outspoken supporter of developing Arizona's natural resources. Threats from the indigenous population were the primary obstacle to developing the resources and Cartter felt the Federal government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
was dedicating too much effort with Reconstruction at the expense of the American West. He did feel that better times would soon be at hand as he predicted a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
victory during the 1868 U.S. presidential election.
Following a Republican victory in 1868, Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
replaced Cartter with a candidate more agreeable to the new president. After his replacement, Isham Reavis
Isham Reavis
Isham Reavis was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Arizona Territory.-Background:...
, arrived in August 1869 he opened a private practice in La Paz. Newspaper notices for his practice stated, "Will attend to business in all the court of the Territory." Forseeing the decline of La Paz's fortunes, he lived briefly in Ehrenberg
Ehrenberg, Arizona
Ehrenberg, also historically spelled "Ehrenburg" is a census-designated place in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,357 at the 2000 census. Ehrenberg is named for Herman Ehrenberg ....
before settling in Prescott in September 1870. Two years later, Cartter brought his son into his legal practice, forming the firm of "H.H. Cartter and Son."
In November 1870, Cartter was elected to the upper house of the 6th Arizona Territorial Legislature
6th Arizona Territorial Legislature
The 6th Arizona Territorial Legislative Assembly was a session of the Arizona Territorial Legislature which met in Tucson beginning on January 11, 1871, and running till February 14, 1871.-Background:...
. During the session the Council President, Daniel H. Stickney, died and Cartter was selected to replace him.
Cartter died in Prescott on September 17, 1874 after suffering from paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
. He was buried there, most likely in Citizens Cemetery, but no marker remains to mark his grave.