James P. Carleton was born February 24th, 1812, in Cumberland, Maryland; was educated at college in Washington, Pennsylvania; studied law in his native town, was admitted to practice, and started for a western location. He located in Covington, Indiana, where he rapidly built up a business. Was, in a short time, elected a member of the Indiana Legislature, from Fountain County. Married Louisa Patterson. In 1841, he, in company with his father-in-law and family, started for Iowa City. He commenced the practice of law with his father-in-law, in Iowa City. The Judge’s office was of the backwoods style, being a one-story log office, located on Iowa Avenue. In 1843, Judge Carleton was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature of Iowa from Johnson County, and served as Speaker of the House. At the first election after the admission of Iowa as a State, he was elected District Judge for the Fourth Judicial District. The position of Judge was held by him until his death. As a politician, he was always a Democrat being a very effective stump speaker, and having few superiors in arousing the masses to action.