Taylor Carpenter

As printed in 1901

TAYLOR CARPENTER.

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

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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 Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.