OBIT: Rev. Sanford N. CARPENTER, D.D., 1945, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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Ministry of Dr. Samuel N. Carpenter Eminent Lutheran Clergyman Ended
Succumbed to Illness In Cumberland Hospital Soon After Undergoing Surgical 
Operation

  Rev. Sanford N. Carpenter, D.D., passed away on Monday, April 2, at 3:05 a.m., 
in the Memorial Hospital, Cumberland, where he had been operated upon for gall 
bladder trouble about three weeks ago.  Although his condition was serious to 
begin with, he was making good progress toward recovery, when he suffered a 
relapse which suddenly resulted in death.
  Dr. Carpenter was born in Beavertown, Snyder County, Pa. Dec. 4, 1872.  He 
received his elementary schooling there, and entered the Missionary Institute at 
Selinsgrove in 1893.  The Institute became Selinsgrove University in 1894, from 
which he was graduated in 1898.  He then entered the Theological department, 
graduating from there in 1900.
  His first call as minister was to the Brushton Ave. Lutheran Church of 
Pittsburgh, in May, 1900.  In the same year he was ordained by the Pittsburgh 
Lutheran Synod.  In 1908 he accepted a call to the chair of History at Carthage 
College, Carthage, Ill.  In 1913 he returned to Pennsylvania, as pastor of 
Trinity Lutheran Church, Johnstown.  From there he went to Birmingham, Ala., in 
1927.  He assumed his final charge, the McClure parish, Snyder County, in 1931, 
where he labored until December, 1944, when he resigned and returned with his 
wife to Meyersdale with the view of spending the rest of their lives in Mrs. 
Carpenter's former home on Front St., which she still owned but did not occupy 
during the ten years she lived happily with her second husband, Dr. Carpenter, 
at McClure.
  Dr. Carpenter felt compelled to give up full time active ministry, owing to 
advancing age and declining health, but having been an indefatigable worker all 
of his life, he did not wish to give up ministerial work altogether.  He, 
therefore, consented to act as supply pastor for the Rockwood Lutheran 
congregation, while a vacancy in the active pastorate existed there, but owing 
to inclement weather and ill health he was able to conduct but a few services 
during the several months that he was acting as supply pastor.
  Besides being a good preacher and church administrator, Dr. Carpenter was a 
man of high scholarly attainments.
  In 1917 he received the Doctor of Divinity Degree, and in that year he 
published a book - "The Reformation in Principle and In Action."  He was also 
the author of many articles appearing in various Lutheran publications.  He also 
had a flare for writing verse, and contributed poems of real beauty and worth to 
a number of publications, including the Meyersdale Republican from time to time.
  During his early ministry, Rev. Sanford N. Carpenter officiated at the wedding 
of the late Leigh R. Collins, a former well-known druggist of Meyersdale, and 
Miss Mary E. Hough.  Some time later after the death of Mr. Collins, his widow 
became the wife of Dr. Carpenter. Their union proved a very happy one.
  Besides his bereaved wife, Dr. Carpenter leaves an adopted son, Ralph, of 
Pittsburgh, three step-daughters, the Misses Leah, Frances and Dorothy Collins; 
a brother, Attorney J. E. Carpenter, of Sunbury, Pa., and a sister, Mrs. Walker 
of Beavertown.
  Funeral arrangements for Dr. Carpenter were in charge of Mortician H. R. 
Konhaus.  A brief funeral service was held in the Konhaus Funeral Chapel at 8 
o'clock, Tuesday evening, at which Dr. I. Hess Wagner, pastor of Trinity 
Lutheran Church of Somerset officiated.
  Dr. Wagner and Dr. Carpenter were classmates in college and seminary and 
lifelong friends.  Besides the impressive rites conducted by the veteran 
Somerset minister at the bier of his departed friend and co-laborer, he paid a 
glowing tribute to his character, industry, ability and consecration to the 
church and all its works.   
  On Wednesday morning the concluding funeral services were conducted in the 
Troxelville Lutheran Church, by Dr. N. R. Hampsher, secretary of the Central 
Pennsylvania Lutheran synod, assisted by Rev. Deppin, present pastor of the 
McClure charge.  Interment was made in the Carpenter family lot in the 
Beavertown Cemetery.
  Mrs. Carpenter and daughters and others of the funeral party who attended the 
obsequies in Snyder County returned to their homes in Meyersdale, Wednesday 
evening.

Meyersdale Republican, April 5, 1945