List of family pages

the family of gibson gooseberry carter

Photo 1426. The photo is posted on FindaGrave by “Husker fan,” and says it is of the Gooseberry Gibson Carter family, with Sarah Burlington Carter and Gibson Gooseberry in the front row middle.

gibson gooseberry carter

susan burlington carter

He was born in Illinois in 1843.  He died in Table Rock in1921. According to information posted on Findagrave.com. 

She was born in Illinois in 1854 and died in Table Rock in 1929.

Gibson was the son of James H. Carter and Matilda Jane Plasters Carter.

Married to Sarah Ann Burlington. Married March 4, 1868, in Sterling, NE.

Their children were: Samuel Summerville Carter, Benjamin Franklin Carter, William Milton Carter, James Carter, John Babe Carter, Harry B. Carter, Bertram Carter, Earl Carter.

Gibson died at the age of 76 years.

Gibson was more familiar known by the nickname "Little Tobe". His father was "Big Tobe". The Table Rock newspaper, in an article about the severe burning and ultimate death of his wife Sarah, refers to her a Mrs. Tobe Carter which would suggest that was a nickname and a given name. The nickname "Tobe" probably refers to the Irish slang for a chew of tobacco.

The origin of the Gooseberry name is not known. It could be phonetic mispronunciation of Goldsberry, or something like that was understood by the census takers as Gooseberry. It is also possible the name was intended to be Goldsby which was his Grandmother's name. The name Goldsby was often listed as Goldsberry, Goldsborough, etc., and since the settlers at that time could not read or write, the census taker wrote down whatever the name sounded like. Gooseberry for Goldsby. Whatever he wrote down became that settler's name. There were a lot of Goldsberry immigrated fro Ireland/Scotland.

Guy Carter writes: Gibson Carter went to Iowa when the Civil War broke out to avoid going into the military. Apparently he was followed, because Guy indicates that he jumped into the Missouri river to avoid capture & swam across to Nebraska City, NE. From there he joined a wagon train freighting goods to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. After about a year he took a homestead at Elk Creek, NE but it was too dry for crops. He met & married Sarah Burlington while in Elk Creek. Guy Carter indicates that he traded the homestead for a wagon and team of horses and moved on." 

Sarah Ann Burlington was the daughter of Moses Burlington and Susanna Johnson. Born Dec 19, 1854 in Peoria County, IL.

Wife of Gibson Gooseberry Carter, married March 4, 1868 in Sterling, NE.

Their children were; Samuel Summerville Carter, Benjamin Franklin Carter; William Milton Carter; James Carter, John Babe Carter, Harry B Carter, Bertram Carter and Earl Carter.

"From Table Rock Newspaper: A serious accident happened at the home of Mrs. Tobe (Gibson) Carter on Friday of last week. Mrs. Carter, who is an old and esteemed resident of our city, had lighted a lamp and threw the lighted match away, but it caught in her clothing which was set afire and before the flames could be put out, she was badly burned about the right shoulder and arm. She suffers greatly from her injury and at the time of this writing was in very bad condition."

g. g. carter's obituary

sarah carter's obituary

Historical Society member Luella Hinrichsen transcribed his obituary in the Table Rock Argus of January 14, 1921.


F. G. Carter was born in Cass County, Illinois, February 7, 1843. He died at his home in Table Rock, suddenly on Thursday morning, January 6, 1921, aged 77 years, 1 month and 1 day.

He was united in marriage to Sarah Burlington, March 4, 1868, at Sterling, Nebraska, and they have made their home in Nebraska all the years of their married life. Seven sons were born to them, three of whom, Ben, Harry and Earl, have passed to the great beyond. The surviving sons were present at the funeral except Will. Earl died just one year before his father.

For several years Mr. Carter has been in poor health and during the last year was not able to be out of the house.

Funeral services were held at the home at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. L. Ogden, interment being in the table Rock cemetery. In the death of Mr. Carter, Table Rock loses an old resident, who had a wife acquaintance among our people. He was liked by those who knew him best, his bigheartedness and quaint humor bringing him many friends. He leaves a widow, four sons, one sister, three brothers and a host of friends to mourn his death. 

"Sarah Burlington was born in Peoria County, Illinois December 19, 1855. She passed away at Table Rock, NE, May 22, 1929 at the age of 74 years, 5 months and 3 days.

She came to Nebraska with her parents in an early day, the family settling in Johnson County.

She was married to G. G. Carter at Sterling, NE on March 4, 1869.

To this union were born 8 sons, five having preceded her in death: James, Ben, Babe, Harry and Earl. The 3 still living are Sam of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, William of Table Rock, NE and Bert of Sterling, Colorado.

Mrs. Carter was also preceded in death by her husband 8 years ago this spring.

Shortly after their marriage, Mrs. Carter, with her husband, established a home at Salem, NE. From there they moved to Carbondale, Kansas where they lived for 2 years.  

She joined the Christian Church at Elk Creek, NE about 40 yrs ago and she continued a faithful member until her death. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and an earnest worker in the auxiliary of the Church.

She was a great sufferer the last 7 weeks of her life, having accidentally received severe burns on her body 7 weeks ago. While at all times there were hopes for her recovery, she steadily declined until death relieved her suffering.

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their children who are
​buried in table rock

the beautiful obituary of their son john babe carter

Detail of Photo 194, circa 1922

He died at age 42; his widow lived on for many years, dying in 1976 at the age of 89.  The obituary is an elegant and heartfelt tribute: 

A Prince Has Fallen. A prince has fallen in Table Rock, and our eyes are dimmed with tears.

A prince of a man was Babe Carter. He was such a wholesome human being. His heart beat close to the soil and roots of life. Humbugery and pretense were as foreign to him as the hills. He was what he was all over and what he was, was good and refreshing.

He loved his fellows and loving thence, was loved by them, he loved life, all of it. He took a keen pleasure in the simple things of life and the children in their simple honest friendships counted him as their friend. He had the qualities of understanding, patience, gentleness, shot through with honesty and tolerance. He was not great from the standpoint of fame and riches, but his was the greatness of a true friend when in need of a friend. He did what he could. 

While he for years had been sick and afflicted, he took a keen interest in what was going on in and around the town and most every morning he called in each place of business and never a word of complaint, but instead a smile and a hearty good morning. Always ready to sacrifice himself bodily or financially, that he might help in any way he could. He put the joy of life in what he did and the sourest cynic felt somehow that it was a joy to be alive, after knowing him and of his afflictions and realizing the joys he seemed to get out of life. The gloomiest pessimist seemed to glimpse a star when he compared each of their lots in life. 

All knew for many months that Babe must soon answer the call of the Great Judge-but still his desires were as warm and his hopes as eager as ours and this has feelingly told us what shadows we are and what shadows we pursue.

He had a habit of speaking words of kindness and this was reflected in the many that gathered to pay their last respects to him and sympathize with his loved ones.

Fortunate are we who are left, if when the last hour of earth comes, we have given ourselves as he did to the endearing realities of life, fine and pure as they were honest and common, which makes a man loved in life and serene in death. 

Babe, as all knew him, was a simple lovable fellow and may thoughts of him serve to convince us that some useful purpose was served in his passing.

John Babe Carter was born at Elk Creek, Nebraska, January 15, 1885, and passed away at his home in Table Rock, on May 18, 1927, at the age of 42 years, 4 months and 3 days.

He was united in marriage to Miss Maude Carson of Forest City, Missouri, November 17, 1906.

Most of his life was spent in Table Rock, as he came with his parents when a small boy.

Although he was a sufferer for more than three years, he was wonderfully patient through it all and was ready to go when the end came.

He leaves to mourn their loss his wife, his mother, Mrs. Sarah Carter, three brothers, Samuel, of Belle Touches, S.D., and William of Mullin, S.D., and Bert of Sterling, Colo. For the last twenty years he was engaged in business in Table Rock and always had the respect and confidence of his business associates. He was generous, his heart and purse was always open to the unfortunate and needy and none were turned away empty.

Funeral services were held in the M. E. church on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, conducted by Rev. A. L. Ogden, assisted by Rev. R. E. Martin. Mr. Ogden preached an appropriate sermon, helpful to the living, and gave details of the life of the deceased. A quartet rendered two selections. Mr. and Mrs. Martin sang a duet and Mrs. Edna Griffing sang a beautiful solo. The remains were buried in Table Rock cemetery. 
 

The picture of Babe Carter above is a detail from this one, which shows the interior of a store, probably his restaurant mentioned in his obituary.  Based on a calendar on the wall and a movie poster, both of which can be seen if the picture is blown up, the picture was probably taken around 1922. You can see Babe in the back by the stove.  You can also see if you look closely, that he was an amputee; his left sleeve is pinned to his side.

son benjamin f. carter
nAVY MAN AND sPANISH-aMERICAN wAR vETERAN
1878 - 1917 (died at age 39)

A "flag marker" at his grave designates him as a veteran of the Navy and of the Spanish-American War.  We don't know anything else about him.  

son bill carter
1877-1956

WM. M. CARTER, 79, LAID TO REST SUNDAY;
WAS LONG-TIME LOCAL RESIDENT

Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at the K-B Chapel for William M. Carter, 79, who passed away at his home in Table Rock on July 26th. Last rites were in charge of Rev. Ward Merritt, Humboldt, and burial was made in the Table Rock cemetery.

Mr. Carter had been ailing for the past year. He had lived in and around Table Rock most of his life.

He was born May 10, 1877 at Abilene, Kansas. He was married to Jane Harris of Table Rock, forty-eight years ago, three children were born to this union.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, and his two sons, Donald Carter of Glasgow, Montana, and Milton Carter of Lincoln, who is a twin brother of Mildred, who died at the age of eighteen months; a brother, Bert of Sterling, Colo.; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His father, mother and six brothers preceded him in death. Many friends and neighbors will sadly miss him. He was a good husband and father, and a good neighbor to all who knew him, and he had a good word for everyone.

jane harris carter, bill's wife

Table Rock Argus, Nov. 13, 1969.
Services Held For Mrs. Jane Carter

Funeral services were held Saturday morning for Jane Elizabeth Carter, who passed away at the Pawnee City Hospital November 5 at the age of 82 following a stroke. Final rites were held at the Wherry Chapel in Table Rock, conducted by the Rev. Ward Merritt.

Born September 20, 1887 at Albany, Mo. Jane Harris was married to William M. Carter October 6, 1908, and the couple resided at Dawson until 1918 when they moved to Lucas, So.Dak. In 1928 they moved to Table Rock.

Her husband died in 1956. Mrs. carter was a member of the Table Rock Christian Church.

She is survived by two sons: Milton W. Carter of Lincoln and Donald E. Carter of West Glasgow, Montana; four brothers: John Harris of Pawnee City, Vess Harris of table Rock, Erve and Earl Harris of Wymore. Seven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren, several of whom attended the funeral, also survive.

Interment was in the Table Rock Cemetery.

bill & Jane's grandson donald wayne carter; milton & hazel carter were his parents.

Donald Carter, Photo 3161, shared by his niece Cathy Rech.

Bill Carter, in a photo shared by Ted and Nancy Quackenbush

Collection of Pat Carter

This is a picture of Bill & Jane Carter, their grandson Billy Carter, Verlin and Betty Anderson Carter, Mabel Anderson (Betty's Mother) and, in front, the little girl is Cathy Rech. This picture was taken in the living room at Bill & Jane’s house on the day that Verlin & Betty were married, Nov 11, 1955. Cathy is the daughter Betty Anderson, who married Verlin Carter; Verlin was the only father she knew. Verlin’s parents were Milton & Hazel Carter. Milton’s parents were Bill & Jane Carter. Bill’s parents were Gibson Gooseberry & Sarah Carter. Billy Carter was the brother of Verlin Carter and Donald Carter. Photo 3160, shared by Cathy Rech.

bill & Jane's son milton w. carter (buster)

Historical Society member Loretta Peterson  says that her grandmother (Susan Taylor Carter) was married to Jane & Bill's son Milton (Buster) Carter at one time.  We have no picture of Buster & Susan, but here is a childhood picture of Mike McCourtney (Charlie McCourtney's grandson) and Buster, shared by Delores McCourtney Penkava.  It is Photo 559.  Take a look at the photo of Buster's son Donald to the lower left of this picture.

Shared by Cathy Rech

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son harry b. carter
1886-1917 (died at age 31)