From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

page 819

Harlow J. Carpenter was born in Chittenden County, Vt., June 27, 1813. When twenty-one years of age he drove a team through to Pennsylvania for an elder brother, Joseph, and a few months later rode a horse to Erie County, Ohio. He was married in Erie County, Sept. 29, 1836, to Fanny Merry, daughter of Hosmer and Sally Merry. She was born in Milan, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1813, where her parents were pioneer settlers. In 1849 Mr. Carpenter became identified with Steuben County, buying and improving 120 acres of land on section 22, Otsego Township. Of his six children five were born in Ohio and one in Steuben County-- Jesse H. lives in Angola; Sarah is the widow of Robert H. Humphreys; George H. lives on the old homestead; Emma died in Ohio at the age of three years; Betsey M. is the wife of Lewis Griffith; Julia is the wife of B. F. Griffith, and Carrie S. is the wife of L. W. Brown. Mr. Carpenter was an energetic, public-spirited, thrifty man; was active in the promotion of every good cause. The day he was twenty-one years old he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and from the first was an intelligent, active worker in the Master's vineyard. He was for many years a local preacher and was everywhere known as Elder Carpenter, a title he worthily earned and wore. He was always ready to give religious instruction and his purse was always open to assist the poor and needy. After coming to Steuben County Mr. Carpenter officiated at 612 funerals, and it is not known how many marriages he solemnized. He was called to his reward April 30, 1883. Soon after his death the Methodist Episcopal church at Otsego Center, and to which in life he was much attached, was rededicated and named, as a tribute to honor his memory, Carpenter's Chapel. His worthy life companion survives and is living with her widowed daughter, Mrs. Sarah E. Humphreys.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com