B. Carpenter

As printed in 1887

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 Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.