Clay County AlArchives News.....Mr. and Mrs. John L. Carpenter Celebrate 55th Wedding Anniversary November 15, 1928
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Sharon Boling mrsbee1951@aol.com and Gloria McGhee gmcghee@charter.net July 22, 2006, 12:03 am

The Ashland Progress November 15, 1928
On the 10th anniversary of the signing the great armistice when the hostile 
guns ceased to fire, on Sunday, the 11th instant, Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis 
Carpenter, surrounded by their children, grand children, great grand children, 
and a few friends celebrated the 55th anniversary of their marriage, Nov. 11, 
1873.  It was indeed a happy occasion for Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter.  The writer, 
while yet a young school teacher, made his home with these people for a while 
and we felt very much like going back home ourselves.  As far back as 1890-91, 
during the winter months, we made our home pleasantly in this home and we have 
enjoyed the unbroken friendship of this genial, progressive family through all 
these years.

Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter married early in life.  As Mr. Carpenter expressed 
it, "When we started in life, I had a girl and my wife had a boy; that was all 
we possessed."  Soon they gathered together such things as were necessary and 
began the great task, and still greater achievement of rearing a family of 
eleven children -- five boys and six girls.  One child died in infancy.  As 
stated, to that union twelve children were born, eleven reared and yet live, 
all of whom, except the youngest son, are married and have families of their 
own.  They have forty-eight grand children and fourteen great grandchildren.  
The sons are as follows:  Jacob R. Carpenter, J. T. Carpenter, E. G. Carpenter, 
W. E. Carpenter, Bennett Carpenter, the only single one.  The daughters are as 
follows:  Mrs. Lovie Pruet, Mrs. Susie Eidson, Mrs. Annie Smith, Mrs. Fannie 
Shaddix, Mrs. Dora House, Mrs. Zella Shaddix.  All of the children were present 
Sunday except Mrs. Lovie Pruet who was detained at home by family sickness, and 
Mr. J. T. Carpenter, Laurel Hill, Fla., who was detained by reason of 
professional engagements.  Most of the grandchildren were also present.  
Indeed, it comprised a happy group.  It can be said with truth, pride and 
appreciation [by one who has watched thee children since they were his pupils 
many years ago that they have gone out into the world and made a success.  
Making the different communities in which they make their homes proud to call 
them citizens.  It would] be hard to find a more pleasant, companionable and 
genial set of people anywhere.  Being accorded the seat of honor at the table 
by Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, and that dinner was a feast and a bounty, indeed fit 
for the gods, recounting with pride and pleasure life's scenes and experiences, 
this happy, devoted and faithful couple, as loving yet as in the days of the 
honeymoon fifty-five years ago were able to agree and announce what but very 
few, we dare to say, could state with truth, and that was expressed in these 
remarkable words:  "We have never had a quarrel during our married life."  No 
wonder they are happy now!  No wonder their sons and daughters can meet in such 
loving and devoted union now.  Not a frown nor a murmur in the crowd. * * * * 
The Armistice day was a clear bright one, just cool enough to give vigor and 
vitality to the happy throng of sixty-one people who gathered around that 
bountiful spread.  As one remarked, it looked like there were enough good 
things to eat on that long table to feed the county.  It was not exactly like 
the loaves and fishes, for there was a great bounty at the start, and after the 
sixty-one had been filled, there seemed to be plenty left to sustain a 
protracted service.

Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter seemed quite happy, as were all present.  We commend 
such occasions to all families who may be prepared to enjoy them, for they have 
their great worth in keeping families close together, and above all, it is a 
worthy tribute to pay father and mother whose sunset may not be so far adown 
the western slope, and while they yet linger let son and daughter pay that 
homage so richly deserved and in this case, bountifully given.

John R. McCain

Additional Comments:
A companion article "Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis Carpenter Celebrate the 55th 
Anniversary of Their Wedded Life" ran on November 15, 1928, in The Lineville 
Headlight.   The first few paragraphs are identical with the exception of the 
places of residence of the children.  However, an additional lengthy paragraph 
was added.

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