Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Carpenter, Capt Alfred M 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 12:23 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

Capt. Alfred M. Carpenter, Master of the steamer "Helen Mar," and a pioneer of 
Whiteside County, was born in Lake Co., Ohio, May 19, 1836, and is the son of 
John B. and Mary (Fisk) Carpenter. When four years of age he removed with his 
parents to Adams Co., Ill., and a few years later to Missouri. In 1846 the 
family returned to Illinois and settled in Albany, this county. When 15 years 
of age Alfred began running the Mississippi River, floating rafts, and in 1867 
began steamboating. In 1873, after 22 years on the river, 12 of which were 
spent on the rafts, he had by hard labor and economy accumulated a snug sum of 
money. This he invested in the purchase of the steamer "Hudson," and began 
business for himself, as Captain of his own vessel. He had secured a large 
contract for moving lumber at a figure that promised him a very flattering 
return for his labor; but misfortune overtook him near the close of the third 
season. While towing a raft, a log was carried under his boat which "hung her 
up" in such a manner that she could not be relieved. He left her with the 
expectation of raising her when the ice should be strong enough to work on. 
The mildness of the winter frustrated his plans, and in the break­up the 
following spring his vessel was swept away. By this disaster he not only lost 
his earnings for so many years of hard work and exposure, but he also lost the 
benefit of his contract, which was worth at least $10,000, for the reason that 
he was, to move the lumber with the steamer "Hudson." The following season 
(1874) he began steamboating again, on a salary, since which time he has 
commanded the following named boats: "Louisville Despatch," "Andy 
Riley," "White," "Eclipse," "Stillwater" and the "Helen Mar." He is the 
present Captain of the latter named boat, which is owned by Knapp, Stout & 
Co., of St. Louis, and engaged in the lumber trade. Captain Carpenter was 
married in Albany, Whiteside Co., Ill., Dec. 31, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Zent, 
a daughter of John and Myra Zent. Mrs. Carpenter was born in Morrow Co., Ohio. 
They had five children, three sons and two daughters: Florence C., the wife of 
Henry Rodman, of Davenport, Iowa; Alfred M. died in childhood; Charles O. is a 
steamboat mate on the Mississippi; Theodore A. died aged eight years; and Eva 
J., the youngest, is four years of age. Mrs. Carpenter died May 13, 1882, and 
Capt. Carpenter was married again Dec. 5, 1883, in Dakota, Minn., to Miss 
Laura Fox, daughter of Alvin K. and Sophia (Tompkins) Fox. Mrs. Carpenter was 
born in Minnesota. With the exception of five years spent in Hancock Co., 
Ill., Captain Carpenter has made his home at Fulton since his first marriage. 
He has now had 34 years' experience in the lumber and log business on the 
river, and 13 years' as steamboat Captain. With the exception of the loss of 
his own boat, he has met with no accident of consequence, and enjoys the 
reputation of being one of the most experienced and successful captains on the 
river.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/whiteside/bios/carpente2016nbs.txt

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