JAMES J. CARPENTER, a gentleman of high standing as an agriculturist and a citizen of Byron township, Kent county, Mich., is a native of Ontario county, N. Y., was born June 5, 1844, and is the fourth of a family of five children-four sons and one daughter-that graced the marriage of James and Polly (Bigelow) Carpenter, of which children four still survive, viz: Jerome, a mechanic at Elyria, Ohio, and married; Sanford, who was a soldier in the Civil war, is married, and is farming at Canton, Ohio; James J., the subject of this sketch; and Darius W., a farmer in Eaton township, Lorain county, Ohio, and married. The father of these was also a native of New York, was a farmer, and resided in his native state until I844, when he became a resident of Ohio. His cousin, John, was a soldier of the war of 1812. On settling in Ohio, James Carpenter continued his agricultural pursuits until I896, when he went to Kansas City, Mo., lived there a short time, and then returned to the Buckeye state. He was first a whig and later a republican, but preferred to devote his time to agriculture rather than to politics. He and wife were members of the Disciples' church, and in this faith the wife, who was also a native of the Empire state, was called away in I85o, dying on the homestead in Ohio. James J. Carpenter was but four months old when his parents settled in Ohio, where he received a common-school education and was reared a stock-raiser and agriculturist. He commenced life on his own account at the age of eighteen years, but with no capital save his industrious hands, and his first wages were $I6 per month. He first married Miss Martha Bennington, who died without issue, and Mr. Carpenter next married his present wife, Mary M. Goddard, October 5, I87I, and this union has been blessed with five children, viz: Arthur J., a farmer of Byron township, who married Miss Mary Wildman and has one son. Arthur J. was educated in the Byron Center public schools and also took a course in the city schools of Grand Rapids. Elmer G., the second eldest child of James J. and Mary M. Carpenter, graduated in the class of 1894 at Byron Center, and married Miss Laura Soden. Earnest A., the third child, is in his third year at Albion college and intends to prepare himself for the higher walks of life. Vernon J., the fourth child, is in the eighth grade of the Byron Center public schools, is progressing well in his studies, and his taste tends toward agriculture. Ora, the youngest child, is in the fifth grade, and he, also, is bright in study. Mrs. Mary M. Carpenter was born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 17, I843, and is a daughter of John and Ann (Wilson) Goddard, who were natives of England, and were the parents of two sons and six daughters, but of whom four only are now living, viz: John H., who served in the Civil war and is now a merchant at Ravenna, Ohio; Joseph A., who was a veteran of the Civil war, is married, and is a wholesale merchant at Muncie, Ind.; Mrs. Carpenter, of this sketch, and Julia E., widow of Frederick Hall and residing in Grand Rapids, Mich. John H. Goddard, the father of Mrs. Carpenter, was born June 13, I808, near London, England, and when sixteen years old landed in New York from a sailing vessel. He was a poor but honest lad, and made for himself a name and a comfortable home. He married Miss Wilson in Ohio, but she, as already mentioned, was born in England. Her birth took place November 5, I81o, and her death occurred July 8, I847, in the faith of the Baptist church. Mr. Goddard was a member of the same church, in politics was a republican, and his death occurred August 24, I882. Mrs. Carpenter was reared in Ohio, was educated in the common schools, and has been a kind and loving wife and mother, and has ever been her husband's faithful counselor and guide. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter began life together in I871 on eighty acres of partially improved land in Byron township, and their first home was a humble log cabin in the forest. They had no barn, but had a board stable, and they were beside in debt. To-day, I however, they own a model farm, with a beautiful modern country residence, with substantial out-buildings and barns, and other improvements that indicate thrift and industry. The farm contains I30 acres and is located a mile and a half from the village limits, with not a dollar of mortgage resting upon it thus affording a worthy example to the young of what industry and frugality can do. The soil is of clay loam, and well adapted to the cultivation of fruits and grains, and Mr. Carpenter has used it to the best possible advantage. Mr. Carpenter was one of the brave Ohio boys who served his country in the suppression of the war of the Rebellion. In July, 1864, he enlisted in company H, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Edward Rickey, and was assigned to the army of the Tennessee, under Gen. Thomas. He took part in some five or six skirmishes near Murfreesboro and Tullahoma, Tenn., and in North Carolina; in the first named battle a comrade, Roos, was hit in the head, and Mr. Carpenter assisted in carrying him off the field, soon after which he died. The boys suffered great hardships from hunger, oft-times eating the corn that the mules left, and frequently the crackers left by the settlers. Mr. Carpenter was near Raleigh, N. C., when the news came to hand of the surrender of the rebel chieftain Lee, and this intelligence was received with joy and exultation by the poor soldiers, for to them it meant home and loved ones again; but immediately afterward came the sad intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln, and gloom pervaded the entire army once again. Mr. Carpenter was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in I865, and at once resumed his peaceful calling, which he has since so successfully followed. Mr. Carpenter has always been a republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and wife are friends of public education and of securing the best teachers possible, which is a worthy sentiment, as Mr. Carpenter is a heavy tax-payer and is willing to bear his share in the education of the masses. Fraternally he is a member of Orrin Whitcomb post, No. 303, G. A. R., at Byron, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Byron Center; they liberally aided in building the edifice in 1875, and of this Mr. Carpenter is one of the trustees. They are prominent in social circles, and are among the most respected residents of Byron township.