John J. Carpenter
is a native of Lycoming County, Pa., born May 1, 1824,
and was a son of John Carpenter and Mary, nee Campbell,
likewise natives of the old Keystone. His father died in
1865, his mother in 1846. His educational advantages were
very limited, and he is chiefly self-educated. He came to
Clayton County in 1854, and engaged in farming here until
1862, when he enlisted in Company B., Twenty-first Iowa
Volunteers, under Captain W. D. Crook. He served three
years and was honorably discharged on July 24, 1865. He
returned to Clayton County and bought the farm he now
owns, consisting of 168 acres of rich land, upon which he
has made many excellent improvements. In 1846 he was
married to Mary Marshall, whose parents, William and
Catharine (Shook) Marshall, were natives of Pennsylvania.
Seven children have been born unto them, viz; William M.,
born Jan. 30, 1848; John M., Feb 28, 1850; Ambrose, April
13, 1852; Alexander C., April 19, 1854; Mary Catherine,
born March 23, 1856, married Sylvester O. Marshall, and
resides in Lodomillo Towhship; James L., born Dec. 22,
1858, and Susannah, March 26, 1861. The boys are all
married except Ambrose. Mr. Carpenter has held nearly all
of the township offices, and has discharged their
respective duties faithfully and well. In politics he is
a Republican. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 739-740 |