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An Old Pioneer Passes Away

An Old Pioneer Passes Away image
Parent Issue
Day
20
Month
February
Year
1895
Copyright
Public Domain
Obituary
OCR Text

On Tuesday, at about 1 o'clo'ck p. m., death eame to the relief of Horace Carpenter, at his home on Washtenaw avenue, and took tlie spirit to its home beyond tlie river. Mr. Carpenter had been ill for some time, and as he liad passed his 90tli birthday, his deatli was aot unexpected ; it was none the less sad for his family, for death is something we can never be fully prepared ior and reeonciled to. For the following account of the life of Mr. Carpenter we are indebted to the "History of Washtenaw County:" "Horace Carpenter was born in Locke, 3ayuga (now Tompkins) Co., N. Y., Dec. 1, 1805. He was raised a 'farmer's boy,' and assisted his fatlier on the farm until the age of 17. His early educational advantages were somewhat limited, but possessing a remarkable thirst for knowledge, he was in the habit of sitting in the corner by the old Dutch oven, and poring over the pages of the family Bible or some old history, his only üght. being the warm, red glow from tïie old-time fire-place. At the age of 17 he engaged in the carpenter and joiner's trade, and labored ïaithl'ully at liiis brancb of business for over 15 years. In 1826 liis father, Ezra Carpenter, was seized with the "western Eever," and determined to sce for self the wonderful country whicb had caused so mauy to forsake comfortable homes in the east, and take up their abode in the fair and beautiful región. Horace accompanied his father, and in May of the same year they arrived at Detroit, líemaining there but a short time they proceeded westward to this county during the summer season. Jlr. Carpenter and his sou were well pleased with the new countrj' and its few but hospitable mhabitanta, so they both decided to cast their fortur.es foï the remainder of their lives with the citizens of Wasbtenaw oounty. Ezra Carpenter settled in Pittsfield township, and being a surve}'or, assissted in Iocating many of the farms of this county. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church of Aun Arbor, and was soon selected as eider, faithfully discharging the duties of that office until the autumn of 1829, when on the organization of a church of that denomination at Ypsilanti, he, from a high sense of duty, sacrificed his private feeling nd removed his membership to the latter place. In his neiv churcb relation he sustained the offices of botjb eider and deacon until the time of his death, this latter sad event occurring, Feb. 17, 1841. The eider Carpenter was a faithful Christian, and an earnest worker in the vineyard of our Lord. He was a very benevolentman, and a warm supporter of anything pertaining to truth and morality. He labored hard to iraprove the land in the locality wherein he resided, and the county in general, and his loss was deeply mourned by all the citizens of 'fair Washtenaw.' "Horace Carpenter was married Sept. 20, 1826, to Miss Celia Bradley. Tliere were no children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, but they took under their :are and protection four little ones, two jf whom were adopted, and lived to see them grow up honored and respected by all. Mrs. Carpenter was a native of Lee, Mass., but her parents removed to anotber part of the state when she was au infant. She was laid at rest in tliis county, May 25, ]878, after a lite of well-spent usefulness, and died in the hope of a blissful immortality. Mr. Darpenter was married again on Oct. 1, 1879, to Miss Anna A. Stevens, of Lodi township. She is a native of Geneva, N. Y., and emigrated with her parents to this county at an early day. She is a very estimable lady, and one well fitted to be the helpmate of this worthy and honored citizen. Mr. Carpenter was a member of the free-soil party in early times, and was their candidate for sheriff when there were but six persons who voted that ticket in Washtenaw county. He was supervisor for a great matiy years, and in 1862 was elected county treasurer. He then removed to Ann Arbor, where he has since resided. Mr. Carpenter was a firm and uncompromising anti-slavery man, and assisted to a great extent in molding the minds of the people in favor of abolition of that cursed evil. In connectiou with Munnis Kenny he founded the Washtenaw County Mutual Insurance Co., that now numbers its members by hundreds, all of the first citizens of this prosperous county. He is a life-member of the Washtenaw County Agricultural society and was its president for three years. While officiating in this position, the society purchased their beautifnl grounds in the city of Ann Arbor and erected the handsome buildings that adorn the place. Horace Carpenter is traveling down the hill of life very fast, and his locka are frosted with the snows of many winters, yet he still retainsthe greater part of his mental and physical faculties. Before many years the footstep that in days of yore was heard along the bttsy streets of Ann Arbor, will be listenéd to no more ; the voice of him who proclaimed the right of the colored man to be tree and independent, will be hnshed forever; the form that was wont to mingle with the poor and needy, the joyful and the sorrowful, the rich and the poor, will be laid away in the silent tomb." . The funeral services will be held Thursday, at 2 o'clock p. m., from the family residence on Washtenaw avenue,