CARPENTER, Joseph S.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, p 541

Joseph  S. CARPENTER is one of the popular citizens of Boone County [IL], and an agriculturalist of excellent reputation.  He was born in Truxton, Cortland County, NY, on 21 Dec 1817, and remained under the parental roof until 20 years of age, when he started out to make his own way in life.

The parents of our subject, Abner and Lura (HASKINS) CARPENTER, were natives of the Nutmeg State [CT], but later became residents of NY State, where they passed the remainder of [p 542] their days, the father dying in Orleans and the mother in Cortland County.  They were the parents of seven children, but only our subject is now living.  The paternal grandfather, Noah CARPENTER, was also a native of CT, but when about middle age moved to NY, and three received his final summons when 90 years of age.

When our subject started out in life for himself, he first began by hiring out by the month, and in this way, by his economical habits and good management, contrived to save much of his hard-earned money.  He selected his wife in the person of Miss Clarissa GILBERT, a native of Livingston County, NY, born in the town of Sparta, 10 Oct 1824, and their union was celebrated on 19 Mar 1846.  Mrs. CARPENTER was the daughter Leonard and Elizabeth (MITCHELL) GILBERT, the father a native of CT and the mother of PA, the latter of Quaker ancestry.  They were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living.  Mrs. CARPENTER, the wife of our subject, is a descendant of English ancestors, and the first of her kinsmen to settle in this country were three brothers who descendants are now scattered in the U S., many of them professional men.  Quite a number were Methodist preachers who won ame in renown in their chosen calling.  Mrs. CARPENTER's father was a physician of considerable consequence and was educated at Hartford, CT.  He died in Genesee County, MI, when about 87 years of age, and his wife died in Orleans County, NY, when about 54 years of age.  Mrs. CARPENTER's grandfather, Gardener GILBERT, was in the Revolutionary War and was Secretary for General George Washington.

After marriage our subject settled in Orleans County, NY, and for some time worked by he month, but becoming impressed with the idea that he could better his condition by going West, he, in 1848, made his first appearance in IL.  He bought 40 acres of land in Boone County, but later bought 65 acres where he now lives, and has been a resident of the same for the past 35 years.  During this time he has not been idle, as the present appearance of his well-regulated farm will show.  Satisfied that he had accomplished his share of hard work, our subject is now practically retired and with his worthy wife, to whose help he in a great measure attributes his success, will settle down to enjoy the result of years of hard work.  Although he has taken but little interest in politics, Mr. CARPENTER has held a number of local offices and is well able to hold any and all.   He is a Republican and his first presidential vote was for William H. Harrison.   He has voted for every Republican President since Fremont.  Mr. and Mrs. CARPENTER are members of the Methodist Church, and are liberal contributors to the same.   Mr. CARPENTER favors advancement in every phase of life, and is a generous contributor both of his time and means to every measure that promises to be for the benefit of this section of the country.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.