The Carpenter Families of Linn County, Iowa

COLONEL SEYMOUR DAVID CARPENTER, M. D.

Although now a resident of Chicago, Colonel Seymour David Carpenter, M. D.. was closely associated with the interests of Iowa for many years. He was one of the first medical practitioners of Cedar Rapids and one of the organizers of the first banking house of the city. lie was born in Lancaster. Ohio, in 1826, and comes of a family of Swiss origin, the name of Carpenter being the Anglicized form of the word Zimmerman. Heinrich Zimmerman, the first representative of the family in America, settled in Pennsylvania in IGOfi. He afterward returned to Switzerland, but in 1706 made permanent location in this country. Arriving in Germantown, Pennsylvania, he purchased a large tract, of land in Lancaster county for his colony. Later members of the family were prominent in all the colonial and early wars of the country and representatives of the name in succeeding generations have attained high official positions. Emanuel Carpenter was a colleague of Dr. Benjamin Franklin in the provincial assembly at Philadelphia; Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Carpenter won fame in the Revolutionary war; Emanuel Carpenter of the third generation in 1798 made a trip of exploration up the Ohio river and northward and located on the Hocking river, near the present site of Lancaster. Ohio. In 1802 other members of this branch of the family removed to Ohio and finally named that settlement New Lancaster — the home of the Shermans, General William T. and Senator John T. Sherman.

Colonel Carpenter was the eldest in the family of six children of Gabriel Carpenter, whose name is inseparably interwoven with the history of Cedar Rapids, for he was one of the founders of the city and largely guided its destinies in the early days, infusing into the community a spirit of progress and enterprise which constituted a safe foundation upon which to build its present prosperity. Mr. Gabriel Carpenter, the father of Seymour D., started upon life's journey almost at the opening of the nineteenth century, for his birth occurred in Lancaster. Pennsylvania, on the 11th of/September, 1801. He was only a year old when his parents removed from the Keystone state to Ohio with a number of colonists who founded and named the city of Lancaster. There amid pioneer surroundings and environment his youthful days were passed. His education was acquired under difficulties, for the public-school system was in its infancy and the pioneer community afforded only such educational advantages as could be obtained in the little log schoolhouses on the frontier. His training at farm work, however, was not meagre, for he was early instructed in the work of the fields and taught the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits in Ohio until 1852. He then removed to Cedar Rapids and became the owner of a section of land now embraced within the southern portion of the city. From that time until his death he was closely identified with the upbuilding and improvement of Cedar Rapids and contributed in large measure to its progress by laying out seven additions thereto. His real-estate operations were conducted on an extensive scale, and he had the prescience to discern what the future had in store for this growing western city. His investments, therefore, were judiciously made and in time brought to him splendid financial returns. In business matters his judgment was sound, his discernment keen and his enterprise unfaltering.

Mr. Gabriel Carpenter was married twice, first to Miss Catherine Pearce, who died in Ohio. There were five children of that marriage: Seymour David, the eldest, now a resident of Chicago: E. B., living in Leavenworth, Kansas; Rebecca, who died in 1SS3 while living with her sister. Mrs. Mary Weare, Sioux City, Iowa; Mary, who passed away in 1910; and Susanna, now the widow of H. B. Stibbs and a resident of Chicago. For his second wife Mr. Gabriel Cai'center those Mrs. Maria Wylie, nee Clifton, who by a former marriage had two daughters: Anna Wylie, living with her mother in Cedar Rapids; and Harriett, the wife of J. H. Reede, a resident of Chicago. By their second marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Carpenter had five children, namely: Delia; Frank and John F., who have been called to their final home, and rest in the cemetery at Cedar Rapids; George, who is living in Nashville, Tennessee; and Taylor Carpenter, whose home is in Cedar Rapids.

Coming to this city in pioneer times, Mr. Gabriel Carpenter did effective work for its improvement and his public spirit was manifest in many tangible ways. His business interests were largely of a character that contributed to general improvement as well as to individual success. He was the owner of the land at the corner of First street and Second avenue and upon it erected what was then the finest hotel of the city — a brick structure three stories in height. It was conducted as a model hotel and was one of the notable features of the city but was destroyed by fire in 1870. Afterward he utilized the hotel site for the erection of a fine business block, and also erected in Cedar Rapids a good brick residence, hauling the brick from Muscatine, Iowa, with teams. The house was finished throughout in solid walnut, and the family occupied that attractive frontier home until it was destroyed by fire in 1865 but afterward was rebuilt. Aside from his building operations and real-estate dealings Mr. Gabriel Carpenter became a director in a private bank conducted under the name of Carpenter, Stibbs & Company. He was also for a number of years one of the directors of the First National Bank of Cedar Rapids, became president of the Marshalltown Gas Company, in which he owned a quarter interest, and a stockholder in the Cedar Rapids Water Company. In business affairs he displayed quick discernment and a faculty of separating the important features of any situation or project from its incidental or accidental circumstances. He used his time and opportunities to the best advantage and accomplished results by prompt and direct action while others were pausing to consider the means to the end.

In matters of citizenship Mr. Gabriel Carpenter sought for all that promised substantial advancement and was deeply interested in those projects which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He watched with interest the progress of events that led to the inauguration of the Civil war and although too old to render active service he sent two sons, Seymour D. and E. Brough, who both served the whole four years, put forth every effort at home to uphold the Union cause and at the first call for volunteers offered a fine town lot to the first one enlisting. The prize was taken by Joseph Perigo, who after the war built a good house upon the site. Mr. Gabriel Carpenter ever gave his political allegiance to the republican party, believing that its principles conserved the best elements of good government. lie belonged to Crescent Lodge. No. 25, of Masons. In his later years he found interest and recreation in croquet, becoming a skillful player, spending entire afternoon with friends in the enjoyment of the game. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, in which he served as vestryman and also as junior warden at the time of his death, which occurred on the loth of March, 1881. While almost three decades have since passed, his memory is yet cherished by many of the older citizens among whom he was widely known and honored, his sterling traits of character winning him personal regard, while his activity in business and public lines established his reputation as one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens. Mrs. Maria Carpenter still survives her husband at the very advanced age of ninety years.

Colonel Seymour D. Carpenter was reared in Fairfield county, Ohio, pursuing his early education in a district school built of logs and later attending Granville College at Granville, Ohio, then for two years was also a student at Lancaster Academy.. Subsequently he again spent two years at Granville College and for three years studied medicine under Dr. Williams of Granville. He afterward engaged in teaching school for a period in the south but finally returned to Lancaster, where he studied medicine prior to entering the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received his diploma in 1848. The following year he left home on horseback and on the lath of June, 1849, arrived in Cedar Rapids, where he formed a partnership for the practice of medicine with Dr. E. L. Mansfield, thus continuing until 1850, when he became the senior partner of the firm of Carpenter & Koontz.

On the 6th of July, 1850. Colonel Seymour D. Carpenter married Miss Sarah Weare, a daughter of John Weare, Sr.; of Cedar Rapids, and in 1852 he became one of the organizers of the first banking house in Cedar Rapids in association with Edmund C. Kreider and Henry Lehman and soon afterward, abandoning the profession of medicine, he devoted his time until 1861 to the real-estate and loan business. At the outbreak of the Civil war he was foremost in the organization of the first. Iowa regiments and was appointed assistant surgeon of United States volunteers, serving throughout the period of hostilities. He was mustered out July 31, 1865, with the rank of brevet lieutenant Colonel, holding three commissions.

When the war was over Colonel Seymour D. Carpenter returned to Cedar Rapids, where he engaged in contracting on a large scale in the building of railroads and other public works in Iowa and other states, Mexico and Canada. In 1866 he removed to Ottumwa. Iowa, where he became associated with others in the construction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Later he engaged in the lumber business in Louisiana with John and Elisha Ely as partners but subsequently purchased their interests and formed the Cypress Shingle & Lumber business. In 1885 he was elected president of the Southern Lumber & Shingle Association and removed his family to Louisiana, where unfortunately he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife and only son Ralph Weare. He continued actively in business in Louisiana until Jime. 1893, when his mills were destroyed by fire and the following year he returned to the north, settling in Chicago.

In May, 1900, while traveling abroad, Colonel Seymour D. Carpenter was married again, his second union being with Mrs. Fanny M. Emerson, an English widow, having one daughter, Ellen E. Emerson. By his first marriage Colonel Carpenter had four children. Katherine, widow of J. Asbury Taylor, resides in Ottumwa, Iowa. Mary is the, wife of Albert G. Harrow, and they have a daughter, Grace, now the wife of J. Rudy Smith, by whom she has one child. Natalie Harrow Smith. Sarah Carpenter is the wife of William D. Elliott, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and they had two sons. William Dalryraple. living, and Albert Weare, deceased. Ralph Weare Carpenter married Grace Harrod and left a daughter, Edith Weare Carpenter, still living at Wiunetka, Illinois.

Colonel Seymour D. Carpenter is now eighty-four years of age and is the oldest Carpenter for two hundred years. He is now pleasantly located in Chicago, where he is enjoying a well earned rest. He is a man of optimistic, tendencies, always looking on the bright side, and thus sheds around him much of the sunshine of life. His good qualities have made him highly respected and he yet has many friends in Cedar Rapids among the older residents of the city with whom he was associated through business and social relations during the years of his residence here. At the fiftieth anniversary held in this city he made one of the opening speeches. He was one of the first delegates sent by Iowa to a republican convention for the purpose of making a presidential nomination and also attended the convention held in Chicago when President Taft received his nomination. At that time he was invited to occupy a seat on the platform, this honor being given him on account of his being one of the oldest republican delegates to a convention, and a long article and his picture appeared in the Chicago Record Herald.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The subject of this biography was born in Cedar Rapids. February 27. 1859, and is a worthy representative of one of its old and honored families, being a son of Gabriel Carpenter, who located here in 1852, and bore an important part in the early develop])ment and ])prosperity of the cit_\'. The Carpenter family is of Swiss origin, and was founded in America in 1690, by Heinrich Zimmerman, who located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and afterward changed his name to the English name "Carpenter."

The early ancestors of our subject were soldiers and officers in the Revolutionary war, and the family has always Ijeen a patriotic and loyal one.

Gabriel Carpenter, our subject's father, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1 80 1, and was but a 'small child when he removed to Lancaster, Ohio, where his parents died. There he was reared to agricultural pursuits and educated in the country schools. As previously stated he came to Cedar Rapids in 1852, and purchased five hundred acres of land. He erected his residence on the corner of Twelfth avenue and Eighth street, and his farm lay between that and the citjpniper. The material fur this building was hauled by team from Muscatine, there being no railroad at that time, and the trip from Ohio was made overland. IMr. Carpenter found the country but sparsely settled, while there were no small towns in this locality, and Cedar Rapids was a mere village. As the city grew he laid out several additions on his farm at different times, now known as Carpenter's additions from one to seven. He finally gave up farming and devoted his entire attention to his real estate interests, while during his last years he lived retired from active business. He was one of the original stockholders of the City Water Company and of the old First National Bank of Cedar Rapids, and one of the owners and first president of the Marshalltown Gas Company. In later years he was an extensive dealer in real estate. At one time he owned what was known as the Pullman House, which was burned in 1876, and which he later replaced by a twnistory brick structure. His fir.st home here was also destroyed by fire in 1865. and was rebuilt on the same foundation, it being afterward used for several years as the Old

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Gabriel Carpenter was twice married, his first wife being Catheryn Pierce, who died in Ohio. Of the seven children born to them two died in infancy, while the others reached years of maturity, namely: Seymour D., born in 1826, was a physician by profession, but after coming to this state at an early day he became identified with railroad building as a contractor, and now lives in Ottumwa, Iowa; Rebecca died in Sioux City. Iowa; Emanuel B. is a farmer of Republic county, Kansas; Mary is the wife of George Weare, of Sioux City. Iowa; and Susana is the widow of H. B. Stibbs and a resident of Chicago. Mr. Carpenter was again married in Ohio, his second union being with Maria Clifton, who was born in that state in April, 1820, and still survives her husband, making her home in Cedar Rapids. She too is an earnest member of the Episcopal church and takes an active part in its work. Five children were born of the second marriage of whom one died in infancy; Delia died in Cedar Rapids. June 16, 1900; John died in the same city, in 1897, at the age of forty-two years; Taylor, the subject of this sketch, is the next of the family; and George, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, is now forty years of age.

Taylor Carpenter acquired his early education in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, and later took an elective course at Shattuck Hall of Faribault, Alinnesota. He began his business career as an employe of C. W. Eaton in the hardware business, and continued with him for ten years or until 1888. He was next in the employ of William King until 1897, and for the following two years was a clerk in the office of the American Cereal Company. In 1899 he entered the office of A. H. Connors, contractor and builder, where he holds the position of head bookkeeper.

In 1885 Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage with Miss Maude Woodman, who was born in Alarengo, Iowa, in 1863, a daughter of Frank B. and Rebecca L. Woodman. Her father, who is now deceased, served as deputy marshal and was connected with the police department of Cedar Rapids for ten years. His wife still survives him. Their children were Maud, wife of our subject; Charles L., a resident of Cedar Rapids; and Frank R.

In politics Mr. Carpenter is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. Socially he is a prominent member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., of which he was made master January I, 1901; is a charter member of Lodge Xo. 278, A. O. U. W., of which he was treasurer three terms; and also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and she is now president of St. Clary's Guild and takes an active part in the work of the ladies' societies.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE P. CARPENTER, M. D.

Dr. Carpenter, who is the oldest medical practitioner in Cedar Rapids, has that love for and devotion to his profession which has brought to him success and secured him a place among the ablest representatives of the medical fraternity in this section of the state. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, September 21, 1846, and is a son of Dr. Paul and Mary (Fetters) Carpenter. On the paternal side his ancestors came from Holland in colonial days, and representatives of the family bore a prominent part in the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. The Fetters family is of German origin and was founded in Ohio at an early day.

Dr. Paul Carpenter, our subject's father, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and when a young man began the study of law with James BuchanJm, afterward president of the United States, but not liking that profession he ran away from home and located in Lancaster, Ohio, where he took up the study of medicine, later becoming one of the foremost physicians and surgeons in that part of the state. For forty-five years.

he was successful\- engaged in practice in Lancaster, and there died in 1880, at the age of seventy. He was a prominent Mason and served as eminent grand commander of the state for twenty years. As a RepuhHcan he took an active interest in political affairs, but could never be prevailed upon to accept office. Religiously both he and the mother of our subject were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The latter died in Lancaster, Ohio, at the age of thirty-five years. Of their five children our subject is the second in order of birth and the only survivor. I he father was twice married, his first wife Ijeing Mary Cannon, by whom he had two children, both living, namely: Henry \V., a physician of Lancaster, Ohio; and Mary Ellen, wife of W. J. Carty, of Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. George P. Carpenter obtained his early education in the schools of his native place, and was graduated from the high school of that city at the age of fifteen years. He then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, vv'here he pursued a literary course and was graduated in 1865. He commenced the study of medicine under the able direction of his father, and later attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in March, 1868, at the age of twenty-two years. While yet a student he spent one year in an army hospital with his brother, Dr. H. \V. CarpeiUer. who w-as a surgeon in the army. There were from twelve hundred to eighteen hundred patients in the hospital the entire time, and there he gained a good practical knowledge of medicine and surgery, which was of great benefit to him in his snbsc(ucnt career.

Immediately after his graduation Dr.

Carpenter came to Cedar Rapids, arriving here on the 4th of April. 1868, and at once opened an office. The city at that time contained a population of only three thousand, and he has therefore witnessed almost its entire growth and development. Two years after locating here he entered into partnership with Dr. E. L. Mansfield, and together they engaged in practice for five years, but with that exception Dr. Carpenter has always been alone. He has always engaged in general practice, but of late years has given special attention to surgery and has performed many notable operations.

On the ist of July, 1869, in Delaware, Ohio, Dr. Carpenter was united in marriage with Miss Delia Pant, a native of that state and a daughter of Rev. S. Fant, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the pioneer clergymen of that section. By this union were born four children, namely: Laura, wife of A. S. Smith, of Chicago; Alice, at home; Paul F., a resident of Los Angeles, California; and George B., a student in the high school of Cedar Rapids. The wife and mother died March 31, 1897, and was laid to rest in the Oak Hill cemetery of Cedar Rapids.

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Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the Cedar Rapids Medical Society, and has been a member of the staff of St. Luke's hospital since it was founded fi"teen years ago. He stands high in his profession and enjoys the personal friendship of a number of the most noted physicians of the United States. The Doctor is widely and favorably known, and it is safe to say that no man in Linn county has more friends or is held in higher regard than he. He has a very fine collection of relics and curios gathered from all parts of the work.

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During his boyhood 'william Pieper attended the district schools of his native land until fourteen years of age, and then worked as a farm hand until coming to this country with the hope of benefiting his financial condition. In 1840 he took passage on a sailing vessel at Bremen, and after a stormy voyage of nine weeks landed in Baltimore, Maryland. He at once proceeded to Dayton, Ohio, and as he spent his last twenty-five cents on the day of his arrival there he was forced to seek employment at once. Going to Piermont, that state, he hired out to a stock farmer at six dollars per month, and remained there six months. He then returned to Dayton, where he worked four months at eight dollars per month, and later was employed by Joseph Snyder at eighty dollars per year.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE P. CARPENTER, M. D.

The state of Iowa, with its pulling industrial activities and rapid development has attracted within its confines men of marked ability and high character in the various professional lines and in this way progress has been conserved and social stability fostered. Dr. George P. Carpenter, whose name initiated this review, has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of the state And by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public. Although yet a man in the prime of life, he is the oldest physician in years of continuous connection with the profession in this city. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, September 21, 1846, his parents being Dr. Paul and Mary (Fetters) Carpenter. The family is of Holland origin, but was founded in America during the colonial epoch of our history and was represented in the Revolutionary war and again in the war of 1812. The Fetters family is of German descent and was established in Ohio during the pioneer history of that state.

Dr. Paul Carpenter was a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and in early manhood took up the study of law under the direction of James Buchanan, afterward president of the United States, but he regarded the profession as uncongenial and ran away from home, taking up his above in Lancaster, Ohio, where he began the study of medicine. In time he came to be recognized as one of the distinguished physicians and surgeons in his part of the state, practicing with marked success in Lancaster until his death, which occurred in 1880, when he had reached the age of seventy years. lie always kept abreast with the progress of the profession and was most conscientious in the performance of his duties. His political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party, but he would accept no office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties, his Masonic work and his efforts for the betterment of the community along other lines. He ranked high in Masonry and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also the mother of our subject, who died in Lancaster, Ohio, at the age of thirty-five years. Dr. Carpenter is the only survivor in their family of five children and is second in order of birth. For his first wife the father married Miss Mary Cannon and their surviving children are Henry W., a physician of Lancaster, Ohio, and Mary Ellen, the wife of W. J. Carty of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Carpenter then married Mary Fetters and of this union our subject is the second child in order of birth.

An apt student, Dr. George P. Carpenter readily mastered the branches of learning taught, in the public schools of Lancaster and completed the high school course when but fifteen years of age. For further study he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and completed a literary course by graduation in 1865. Whether environment, inherited tendency or deliberate choice have most to do in shaping his later career it is impossible to determine, but the study of medicine seemed to prove attractive to him and he began reading under the direction of his father, while later he benefited by instruction in the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in March, 186S, at the age of twenty-two years. While yet a student he spent one year in an army hospital with his brother, Dr. IT. W. Carpenter, who was an army surgeon. There were between twelve and eighteen hundred patients in the hospital the entire time and the practical experience which he thus gained of medicine and surgery proved of inestimable benefit to him.

Immediately after his graduation Dr. Carpenter located for the private practice of medicine in Cedar Rapids, remaining continuously a resident of this city since the 4th of April, 1868. He found here a population of about three thousand and has, therefore, witnessed almost its entire growth and development, and no man feels greater pride in what has been accomplished or has given his aid and influence in more substantial manner toward furthering its upbuilding. Two years after his arrival here he became a partner of Dr. E. L. Mansfield and they were together for five years. Otherwise, Dr. Carpenter has always been alone and, while he has usually given his attention to general practice, he has also specialized to a great extent in surgery and has successfully performed many notable operations. His practice from the beginning has been large and of an important character and he has ever been an industrious and ambitious student, whose reading and research have constantly augmented his ability and promoted his efficiency.

Dr. Carpenter has been married twice. On the ist of July, 1869, in Delaware, Ohio, he wedded Miss Delia Fant, a native of that state and a daughter of the Rev. S. Fant, a Methodist Episcopal minister, who was one of the pioneer preachers of that section. Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter became the parents of two daughters and two sons: Laura, now the wife of A. H. Smith of Los Angeles, California; Alice, who married Lieutenant A. S. Smith of the United States Navy and died May 1, 1901; Paul F. and George B., both residents of Los Angeles. The wife and mother passed away March 31, 1897, and was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery of Cedar Rapids. On the lath of July, 1909, Dr. Carpenter was again married, his second union being with Belle Hawthorne Dusill of Cedar Rapids. His home contains a fine and most interesting collection of relics and curios, gathered from all parts of the world, for he has traveled extensively, gaining thereby that broad culture and experience which only travel can bring. He has long been one of the prominent and helpful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as steward and trustee for thirty years.

His political views accord with the principles of the republican party and his fraternal relations are with Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 263, F. & A. M.; and Trowel Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M. He has always regarded the practice of medicine and surgery, however, as his chief interest, has served as medical examiner for the Northwestern Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee and many other companies and has been a member of the staff of St. Luke's Hospital since its founding. He holds membership in the Cedar Rapids Medical Society, the Iowa Union Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has kept in touch with the work done by the profession whereby the interests of humanity have been advanced, and is in thorough sympathy with the movement for general education concerning the laws of health and the prevention of disease. He holds to high standards in practice and his expressions concerning brother practitioners are friendly and indulgent, ne is widely recognized as a man of the highest and purest character and there is constant demand for his services both professionally and socially.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

B. CARPENTER, a highly respected farmer of Marion Township, is occupying a fine homestead on section 9. He has been a resident of the Hawkeye State for over twenty years, and from the time of coming here he has identified himself with the interests of his township and county, and watched its growth with that pleasure and satisfaction which is the experience of every true citizen.

Mr. Carpenter is a native of the Empire Stale. born in Meredith Township, Delaware County. Oct. 27, 1830. 1 lis father was David P. Carpenter, a farmer by occupation. The parental family included six sons and five daughters, only four of whom are living, and Mr. Carpenter the only one in Iowa. His early life was passed upon the farm. His father died when he was fifteen years old, and he then went to New York City and was engaged as a clerk for his brother, who was in the grocery business. He was thus occupied for three years, and then entered the employ of the Hudson River Railroad Company, continuing with them two years. He was then engaged in a large wholesale liquor house as shipping-clerk, and continued there twelve years. He then went back to his native town, spent two years in farming, and in 1864 came west, and crossing the Mississippi, came into the Hawkeye State. He purchased a farm in Franklin Township, this county, upon which he remained several years, and in 1869 came to Marion Township and purchased the farm which he still owns and occupies. Mr. Carpenter has been an extensive landed proprietor, owning at one time 1,100 acres in this township. Much of this he divided up among his sons, but is still possessor of 540 acres, all in one body and finely cultivated.

The marriage of W. B. Carpenter and Miss Frances A. Mason took place March 21, 1852. Mrs. Carpenter was the daughter of Reuben and Maria (Maxwell) Mason, natives of York State, and was born Aug. 4, 1832, in Delaware County, N. Y. By her union with our subject she has become the mother of three children: Alfred M., born March 11, 1853, married Alice Simpson, and has six daughters — Blanche Lillian, Florence 51., Frances A., Susie Pearl, Emile and Cora Irene. He is a farmer and resident of this township. Claude C, born March 21, is 55, married Miss LibbyBell and has two children: Belle and W. B., Jr.; Cora, born Oct. 3, 1802, married Charles C.Heer, and is living in this township; he is in the agricultural trade in Marion: they have one child named Louise.

The farm of Mr. Carpenter constitutes one of the finest homesteads in Linn County. He has a fine dwelling with good barns and out-buildings. His farming implements and the facilities for stock-raising are of first-class description. He has given much attention to the breeding of fine stock, his cattle being of the Short-horn high grades. The

Txurxiic" tin chief of the herd is five years old, and weighs nearly 3,000 pounds, and among the herd are some of the finest animals to be seen in the Hawkeye State.

Socially Mr. Carpenter is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and holds membership with Patmos Commandery, No. 27, K. T., and politically is a conscientious Republican. Religiously, Mrs. Carpenter is connected with the Methodist Church, to the support of which both contribute with a liberal hand. He is in all points one of the best citizens of Linn County, and lias materially aided in the building up of his county and community.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Mrs. Martha Carpenter, living in Cedar Rapids, was in her maidenhood Miss Martha Harris, a daughter of J. G. and Jane (Tatham) Harris. Her father, at ODe time a resident of Zanesville, Ohio, was a son of Simon Harris. The latter was a farmer by occupation and a native of England, from which country he made his way direct to Ohio, where he settled and reared his family. It was in that state that J. G. Harris spent his boyhood and youth and he, too, was reared to the occupation of farming, which he decided to make his life work.

Arriving at years of maturity, he married Miss Jane Tatham and they had a family of children, which included the daughter Martha, who about eleven years ago, on the 18th of February. 1SS9, became the wife of B. C. Carpenter, an upholsterer and a representative of one of the old and well known families of Cedar Rapids. This marriage has been blessed with one child, a son, Terry, who is now in school. The parents attend the Zion Evangelical church and are well known in Cedar Rapids, where they have many friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.