Albert M. Carpenter is an intelligent and progressive member of the farming community of Lee County, and his farm, with its fertile fields that are under a high state of cultivation, and its neat, roomy and conveniently arranged buildings, pleasantly located on section 24, China Township, is one of the most attractive and desirable in the locality. In Essex County, now Union County, N. J., is the birthplace of our subject, and he was born April 11, 1843. Aaron Carpenter was his father, and he was also a native of Union County, as was his wife, Mary Wade. The early part of their wedded life was spent in that New Jersey county, but they subsequently went to Morrow County, Ohio, whence they removed a short distance across the line into Delaware County, the same State, where Mr. Carpenter died while yet in life's prime, leaving two children: Albert M. and Mary, the latter of whom is now the widow of Harrison Doty.

He of whom we write was in his fifth year when his parents removed to Ohio, where he grew to man's estate, He lived at home until he was twenty-three years old, and then paid his first visit to Lee County. He stayed here a year, and at the end of that time returned to Ohio to claim his promised bride, Miss Melissa Johnson, who was born and reared in Morrow County, that State, her birth occurring in February, 1845. The ceremony that made the happy young couple one was performed in her native county February 16, 1867. One son has blessed their union, Wilbert M.

After marriage Mr. Carpenter came back to Illinois, bringing with him his wife, and they spent the next nine years in Ogle County. In 1876 they came to China Township, of which they have ever since been residents, on their home on a choice farm on section 24, China Township. Mrs. Carpenter has worked with characteristic energy to improve his farm, which contains one hundred and twenty acres of excellent farming land, and is in fine condition, everything about the place being neat and orderly, and giving conclusive evidence of a skillful hand and bright mind guiding and directing affairs.

Mr. Carpenter is a man of much force and decisionof character, is clear sighted and sagacious in his judgments, and his neighbors find him a wise and safe counselor. He is a prominent figure in the political and public life of the community, and in the various responsible offices that he has held he has always workd for the good of the township. He has held the office of Township Assessor for two terms; he has been Highway Commissioner for twelve years, and School Director and Trustee. in politices he is a Republican, and is an earnest advocate of his party.

Portraits and Biographical Lee County IL

Illinois - "Our Way"