John Prentiss Carter was born February 7, 1840, near Augusta, Perry County, Mississippi.

[1][2] In 1857, Carter enrolled in Centenary College as a sophomore, and graduated with second honors in 1860, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree.

[1][2] In 1861, after the American Civil War began, Carter enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private in Company G of Mississippi's 27th Infantry.

[1][2] During the battle of Lookout Mountain, Carter was captured and imprisoned in Johnson's Island until the end of the war.

[1] In 1873, Carter was elected to represent the First District in the Mississippi State Senate for a four-year term, and served in the sessions of 1874, 1875, 1876, and 1877.

[2] They had six children, named John McCallum, Prentiss Abner, George Henry, Annie Isabella, Charles Galloway, and Martha Ruth.