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Joseph W. Carpenter, farmer, section 32, township of Big Prairie, was born May 25, 1825, in Niagara, Canada. He is a son of Asa P. and Margaret (Ulman) Carpenter.
The father of Mr. Carpenter was a school teacher by profession and the family residence was changed according to his engagements, which caused frequent removals but did not interfere materially with the education of the children. Mr. Carpenter labored as a farm hand, and attended school winters, until he was 18 years old; the succeeding fall (1843) he came to Michigan and taught singing-school in Hillsdale. The next summer he worked as a carpenter in St. Catherines, and kept up alternate labor and teaching at home until 1847; then he married and went north of the city of Toronto, where he taught day and singing-school until 1853, when he came to Michigan, arriving in the township of Croton August 31. He remained there until the winter of 1856, when he settled on 148 acres of Government land, which he pre-empted and where he now resides. He has cleared 85 acres, placed it under good cultivation, with fine buildings and other creditable improvements.
Mr. Carpenter enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, in Co., A. Tenth Mich Cav., and served nine months. He is a radical Republican, served as Town Clerk during his residence in Croton and has officiated nearly all the time as Justice of the Peace since his removal to Big Prairie. He has held also various other offices, - among them that of County Superintendent of Schools.
He was married Nov. 9, 1847, in Niagara, to Christiana B. Malcomson. She was born on the Orkney Isles, Scotland, Aug. 18, 1827. Her father, Stewart Malcomson, was a native of the Orkneys, and was born in 1797, and died in August, 1873, in Hamilton, Canada. Her mother, Christiana (Brotche) Malcomson, was also born on the Orkneys in 1799 and died in Hamilton, in February, 1873. Seven of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter still survive. Charles C. was lost in the war of the Southern Rebellion, but no account of his demise was ever received by his family, and his fate can only be conjectured. Isabella C. is deceased. They were the two eldest. The others are, Washington I., Julia Ann, Alice L., Joseh W., Jr., Asa S., John W., I. Carrie and J. Fred.
Since the transcription of the above notes and pending their publication, Carrie, the youngest daughter, has passed from earth. Her decline had been so gradual and insidious that she was within the borders of the land of the blessed before those who loved her and watched her most carefully knew that her life was in danger. Her disease terminated in dropsy, from which she suffered but three weeks. Her character was lovely in every sense; modest and retiring in behavior, she was singularly genial and winning when unreserved. The place that has been characterized by her presence will always be vacant.
And labor's done;
Two pale feet crossed in rest,
And life's begun."
Her labors ended early, but her "life begun" can never end.
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