Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Carpenter, Allen P 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 9, 2007, 11:57 pm

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

ALLEN P. CARPENTER. Few of the residents of the county stand higher, and none 
has warmer friends, than the subject of this sketch, a retired farmer of 
Channahon Township. In his active life he has gained the confidence and esteem 
always awarded integrity, honor and industry. From his youth he has been 
identified with the county's history. In October, 1853, he came to Joliet. A 
short time later he was employed to teach a four months' term of school in 
this city. He at once entered upon his duties. His position was one of great 
responsibility, requiring patience, intelligence and constant watchfulness. On 
his roll he had the names of one hundred and three pupils. At the expiration 
of his term the school board urged him to remain longer, but he had promised 
his father to return home and assist in the work during the spring and summer, 
so in March he went back east. However, in the fall he returned to Joliet, 
where he again taught school. In the spring of the next year he began to 
cultivate the farm in Channahon Township now owned by H. B. Porter, remaining 
there for three years. Later he spent two years in Troy Township. Following 
this he was associated for seven years with his brother, Henry S. Carpenter, 
in the grain and elevator business at Minooka Landing. In 1865 he purchased 
his present farm of one hundred and sixteen acres two miles north of the 
village of Channahon and the next year he removed to his new home. In 
conjunction with cultivating his land, for eight years he carried on a general 
merchandise, lumber and coal business. In 1875 he withdrew from the latter 
business and retired to his farm. From time to time he added to his 19 
possessions until he had large landed tracts, but, having lost both of his 
children, and his wife dying in 1890, he had no longer the same reason as 
before for desiring large possessions, and he afterward sold all but his 
original one hundred and sixteen acres. In 1895, after the erection of the 
creamery at Channahon, he was made its manager, and during the three years 
that he held the position, the business netted about twenty-seven per cent 
dividends, a proud record which has never been equaled in the history of the 
Channahon Creamery. In Orleans County, N. Y., Mr. Carpenter was born January 
27, 1834, a son of Daniel and Paulina (Smith) Carpenter. He and his sister, 
Lucinda, the widow of Dr. Gersham Randall, of Linn, Kans., are the only 
survivors of the family, which originally comprised six children. His father, 
who was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., in 1796, grew to manhood there, and 
received a common-school education. February 25, 1819, he married Miss Smith. 
About 1824 he removed to the western part of the state, settling in Orleans 
County, where he engaged in farming. His wife died in 1837. Later he married 
Miss Fannie Styles, by whom he had five children, two now living: Wilber H., 
of Joliet, and Frances, wife of William Harmon. The father was a progressive 
farmer and acquired a competency through his tireless efforts. In early life 
he was a Whig. On the organization of the Republican party he affiliated 
himself with it. He did not care for office, and refused all but minor 
positions. In the Methodist Church he served as a trustee. His death occurred 
August 2, 1870. When nineteen years of age our subject left home and came to 
Joliet, arriving here, as before stated, in October, 1853. The now prosperous 
city was then an insignificant village, but he discerned its possibilities and 
also saw the opportunity of making a good investment by the purchase of farm 
land in the county. Subsequent events justified the wisdom of his course. 
January 10, 1855, he married Miss Ellen Spencer, who was born in Chicago 
December 21, 1834. They became the parents of two children: Alice Evelyn, who 
was born on Christmas day of 1865 and died August 1, 1866; and Allen Elmer, 
who was born April 28, 1869, and died July 24, 1870. Mrs. Carpenter passed 
away October 20, 1890. She was an active worker in the Methodist Church and a 
woman beloved by all for her gentle, amiable character and kind heart. Mr. 
Carpenter has been a trustee of the Methodist Church for the past twenty-five 
years and for some time has been a steward. Politically he is a firm 
Republican. From 1893 to l897 he served as supervisor of Channahon Township. 
For twelve years he held the office of town treasurer and for nine years was 
highway commissioner. For a quarter of a century he was a member of the 
Republican central committee. He has also frequently been a delegate to county 
and state conventions.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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