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| CHARLES D. CARPENTER, merchant, Big Rapids, was born in Lawrenceville, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., Sept. 7, 1856. He is the son of John T and Emily (Blsih) Carpenter. His father was a physician of prominence and gave his son a good education, sending him to the common school until 12 years of age and to the Academy at Lawrenceville until he was 18 years old. At that age Mr. Carpenter came to Big Rapids and engaged with the mercantile firm of Phelps & Parker as clerk. He acted in this capacity 18 months, when he bought the interest of Mr. Phelps and the house became Parker & CArpenter. Mr. Parker died May 7, 1882, and his widow soon after sold her husband's share of the business to the remaining partner and his brother, Frank B. Carpenter, M.D. They operated together one year and May 26, 1883, Mr. Carpenter of this sketch, became sole proprietor of the establishment by purchase. He carries an average stock of about $20,000 value in dry goods, carpets, sewing-machines, etc., and transacts annually an amount of business aggregating $70,000. Mr. Carpenter was married at Evart, Newaygo Co., Oct. 19, 1882, to Nettie E, daughter of Howard and Jeannette Wiltse. She was born at Evart, May 14, 1857, and her parents were among the earliest settlers of Newayog County. Her father came to Mecosta County in 1860 and died at Big Rapids in 1865. He mother died in 1857. The father of Mr. Carpenter died April 30, 1869; his mother is yet living, at Lawrenceville. Mrs. Carpenter was a teacher at Big Rapids six years. |