George L. Carpenter Biography


	This biography appears on pages 710-713 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				GEORGE L. CARPENTER

	George L. Carpenter is a native of Vermillion township, Clay 
county, South Dakota, where he is now successfully engaged in farming 
and dairying. He was born in 1862, a son of Aaron and Keziah Carpenter, 
both natives of Vermont, who emigrated to Nebraska in 1858 and settled 
in Dakota territory in 1861. They located in Clay county and the father 
proved up on government land in Vermillion township, operating his farm 
until his death, which occurred in February, 1914. He was among the 
very earliest of pioneer settlers in Clay county and lived to witness 
many remarkable changes in his locality. He survived his wife for a 
number of years, as she was called to her reward in 1905. To them were 
born the following children: One who died in infancy; Alba J., a 
resident of British Columbia; Carrie M., the wife of E. D. Cowles, of 
Vermillion; and George L., of this review. The father was held in high 
esteem by his fellow citizens, who elected him as their representative 
to the state legislature on the republican ticket, and he also held a 
number of county offices, including that of sheriff. 

	George L. Carpenter gained his education in the public schools of 
Clay county and then concentrated his attention upon farming, owning 
and operating sixty-three acres of the homestead, which consisted 
originally of three hundred and twenty acres. He does general farming, 
but specializes to some extent in dairying, which has proved very 
profitable, as his cows are fine specimens of dairy animals and as he 
understands thoroughly the care of them and the sanitary precautions 
necessary to secure the purity of his dairy products. His farm is 
located just outside of the limits of Vermillion and its proximity to 
the city is of incalculable value to him in his business. 

	In 1887 Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Mary Arthur, 
a native of Canada, who in 1884 accompanied her parents to this state. 
To this union were born six children, four sons and two daughters, 
namely: Arthur A., who is a graduate of the high school and is now at 
home; William A., a student in the high school; Joseph W. and George 
W., attending the public schools; Ellen, who is likewise a graduate of 
the high school and who is now the wife of Charles Reeder, of 
Vermillion; and Frances M., at home. The wife and mother passed away in 
1905.  

	The family belong to the Congregational church and are heartily 
in sympathy with all movements seeking the moral betterment of the 
community. Mr. Carpenter is a republican with liberal views and keeps 
well informed as to public affairs. In 1910 he was elected township 
treasurer and has been reelected every year since. He has been a member 
of the Modern Woodmen of America since 1894 and is well known in the 
local circles of that organization. For more than half a century he has 
resided in this county and has witnessed the progress of his state. He 
feels the greatest pride in her accomplishment and is always willing to 
do anything in his power to further her interests.