Number 5375 on page 556 in the CARPENTER MEMORIAL. No Family mentioned.
There is a painting of John Tyler Carpenter hanging in the Valley
Center Historical Museum. A digital picture was taken by Vince Marshall and is
in the Misc. Picture file. 18Mar2000.Information from Web page at:
http://raven.cc.ukans.edu/carrie/kancoll/books/cutler/sedgwick/sedgwick-
co-p16.html "
KANSAS COLLECTION BOOKS.
William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas.
SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kansas, Part 16.
"VALLEY CENTER, Kansas.
Valley Center was surveyed into town lots in 1872. It is located on
the railroad, on the banks of the Little Arkansas, about twelve miles
north of Wichita. It has a postoffice, three stores, two blacksmith
shops, considerable storage capacity for grain, and several
dwelling-houses. Its principal proprietors are John Carpenter and
son."
and further down under biological sketches ...
J. T. CARPENTER, farmer, Section 36, and dealer in coal, lumber, etc., P. O.
Valley Center, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1823. Is a
son of Asa and Catharine Carpenter, who were natives of Pennsylvania,
and moved to Du Page County, Ill., when the subject of this
sketch was twelve years of age. At the age of twenty, he was married
to Miss Eliza Emerson. In 1850, with his wife and child, went to
California, going by the overland route, to try his fortunes among
the vicissitudes of the land of gold, where he remained for five years,
during which time he was successful and succeeded in accumulating
$10,000, but was overwhelmed with grief at the death of his wife and
child. In 1855, he returned to Illinois, where he was engaged in
farming until he came to Kansas in 1870. In 1855, he was married to Miss
Sarah Hudson, daughter of the Rev. James and Rebecca Hudson. He has
three children by the last marriage - Horace, Clara and Arthur
Carpenter. On coming to Kansas he located on a farm on the Little
Arkansas River, in Park Township, this county, but subsequently
removed to Wichita, where he was engaged in the grain business for
four years. He then removed to his farm, on which he has since
resided, consisting of 500 acres, located in Grant and adjoining
townships, 350 acres of which are under cultivation. In 1878, he laid out
the town site of Valley Center, from a portion of his farm. Since
moving to this farm he has devoted his time to the interests of his farm,
and has also been engaged in the coal and lumber business and buying
grain. Has been successful in all his business ventures, and has
acquired a competency which he is now enjoying in his declining years
as the result of his energy and business ability. He was elected
County Commissioner in 1873, serving one term of two years, and
re-elected in 1875, and served another term, during which time he
assisted in organizing over one half of the townships of Sedgwick
County. Has never been an aspirant for office, studiously avoiding all,
excepting the one mentioned, but has ever been a zealous worker for
the public interest's of the communities in which he has lived. He is a
director and stockholder of the Citizens Bank of Wichita. Is a
Free-will Baptist. Was deacon of the church for twenty years before
coming to Kansas. Is a member of the Old Settlers' Association of
Sedgwick County. He is an earnest temperance man, never having
used tobacco or stimulants in his lifetime, not even to the extent of
drinking a glass of beer. His son, Arthur, who is associated with him in
business, was born in Illinois in 1861. Was married in 18881, to Miss
Della Sherman. Has one child - Ray Carpenter. Was appointed R.
R. agent at Valley Center, in 1879, for the A., T. & S. F. Co., and
in 1882 for the St. Louis & San Francisco R. R., which office he held
until 1883, when he resigned on account of other business. He was
appointed Postmaster of Valley Center in 1881, which office he now
holds. Mr. Carpenter's son-in-law, A. C. Race, station agent at
Valley Center, was born in Wisconsin, in 1856. Is a son of Calvin and
Annis Race. Was married in 1880, to Miss Clara Carpenter, daughter of
the subject of this sketch. He located in Grant Township, in
1879, engaged in the grocery business for two years. Received the
appointment of agent for the R. R. Co., in February of the present
year."
Data on this family submitted by: Vince Marshall Valley Center, KS on 23 Feb
2000 via E-Mail request.
(e-mail: marshallfam@juno.com or vmarshal@kumc.edu ).Additional data sent via E-Mail:
Excerpts from....."The Founding of Valley Center" by Genevieve May Rapp - May,
1931; A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in candidacy for the
degree of master of arts, Dept. of History, The University of Wichita, Wichita,
KS.
Excerpt beginning page 28 - Another settler coming to the Arkansas Valley was
to become the leader of the community and to be given the title, "the Father of
Valley Center." This man was John Carpenter, a native of Illinois. During the
gold rush of 1849, he went to California where he amassed a fortune consisting
of ten thousand dollars. (1, p29) After the death of his wife and child, he
returned to Illinois, where he settled on a farm. He, too, became interested
in Kansas after the Civil War, so sold his farm and came to Kansas (2, p29).
He found the land that suited him along the Arkansas River and built his home
there. Mr. Carpenter was a leader of practically every enterprise that found
its way into this locality (3, p29). His wealth helped him to this place of
responsibility, but even more than this was the kindly feeling that the people
had toward him. He acted as counselor and advisor to many people in the
community. It was not long until he was known as "Uncle John" and the people
used this title in highest reverence to him. His obituary expressed the
feeling of the community towards him.
'He lived in this country in the time that tried the souls of the
frontier settlers. At a time when this new country needed courageous men and
wise counsel, he was always true to every trust reposed in him. When hard
times, incidental to frontier life, gave way to prosperity and Wichita began to
grow into a city, John T. Carpenter was a helper in every movement for the
advancement of this city and this county. A lifelong acquaintance said of him;
"He never gave up. What he thought should be done, must be done." (1, p30)
Excerpt from page 52 - When the railroad (note: Santa Fe in 1872) crossed Mr.
Carpenter's land, he gave the company the land on which to build a depot. The
gift was readily accepted and the depot was built. A few years later when the
Frisco came through Valley Center, an agreement was made with the Santa Fe to
use the same depot, but to use one farther south. So the depot donated by Mr.
Carpenter was moved away without his knowing anything about it (2, p52).
Excerpt beginning page 56 - While the railroad was under construction from
Newton to Wichita, Mr. Carpenter believed that a new town might be built along
the right of way. His own farm was too far west to have the right of way
through it, but section thirty-six was not, so he purchased it for the new town
site.
The Carpenter family organized themselves into a town company (2,p56). Mr.
John Carpenter was presiding; his wife, treasurer; and his son, Arthur,
secretary (3, p56). It was part of the work of the organization to have the
land surveyed and plotted into town lots. There was some difficulty in the
surveying. When the county had been surveyed, rocks had been placed at the
corners of the sections to serve as markers. When the settlers came, they saw
the piles of rock and often took them for their own use (4, p56). The
surveyors were not able to find any of these markers, therefore began surveying
from the spot they believed to be the section line (1, p57). Several years
later, Mr. Westfall discovered the fact that the surveyors had been wrong in
determining the section lines and had the mistake corrected by straightening
the streets (2, p57) in the new town of Valley Center.
Mr. Carpenter had this work done in 1873 (3, p57) and had hoped that the
settlers would soon come and buy land. For several years the section house
that had been built by the Santa Fe Railroad Company was the only building in
the new town (4, p57).
Excerpt beginning page 58 - By 1885 there were two general stores, two drug
stores, one bank, one implement house, and one lumber yard. Mr. John Carpenter
had been responsible for the establishment of most of the stores and owned many
of them (3, p58). The lumber yard belonged to him, and in connection with his
lumber, he sold grain, hay, and coal. There was a tendency for the people to
go to Wichita to trade because they believed the better bargains could be
obtained there, and the Valley Center merchants let the facts be known that
their goods were as good as any in Wichita. Mr. Carpenter used this
advertisement:
"All kinds of Lumber constantly kept for sale. I have the best facilities for
Pressing and Shipping Hay, for which the highest price will be paid.
Different kinds of Coal always on hand. Wichita prices in cash
paid for all kinds of Grain." (1, p59)
Excerpt from page 75 - During the spring of 1885, the following was sent to
the Wichita Eagle:
"Uncle John Carpenter is exultant over our 'prospectus (sic) future,' and after
a short conversation with him, it is very easy to imagine this place as spread
over the larger part of Uncle J.'s farm, built up with fine residences having
attractive boulevards and drives-in fact a populous and beautiful city besides
which the radiance of Wichita pales into insignificance. We understand that he
is about to make two additions on the north and west of town, and H. C. Boyle
is about to make an addition of twenty acres on the east, and has already
applications for lots upon which building will be erected as soon as it is
plotted." (1, p75)
Such was not to be the case, for "Uncle John" Carpenter had not taken into
consideration that the boom would only be temporary. By 1886 the boom was
declining and people were leaving with the newly acquired lots unpaid for.
Excerpt from page 77 - The school lands in Valley Center had been sold to Mr.
Carpenter and since he was interested in building up a city, he allowed the
school house to be put on his ground.
Excerpt beginning page 82 - The school met the educational and social needs of
the community, but the spiritual need had to be met as well. Mr. Carpenter was
interested in religion and helped to organize the first Sunday School in this
part of Kansas (1, p83). He had just built a new corn crib on his farm, and
after talking to Mr. Case and Mr. Thompson, it was decided to hold the newly
organized Sunday School in the corn crib (2, p82). Every Sunday about a dozen
people would gather for the services. These were opened with singing, without
the accompaniment of any musical instrument. After several songs were sung, a
prayer would be offered and the Scriptures read. This was followed by a
discussion of some Biblical subject in which all the adults took part. The
children would sit in awe and listen to these Bible students discuss weighty
problems and wonder if they would ever be able to do the same thing (3,p83).
After the discussion the men would take turns in giving addresses.
(1, p29) A. T. Andreas, History of the State of Kansas, p. 1402.
(2, p29) Interview with Dwight Beach, April 28, 1931.
(3, p29) Ibid. March 11, 1931.
(1, p30) This was taken from a clipping in Mrs. Carrothers' scrapbook
(2, p52) Interview with Dwight Beach, March 4, 1931.
(2, p56) Interview with Dwight Beach, April 28, 1931.
Interview with Douglas Thompson, July 21, 1930.
Interview with Mrs. G. R. Davis, April 7, 1931.
(1, p57) Interview with Douglas Thompson, July 21, 1930.
Interview with George Thompson, June 17, 1930.
(2, p57) Interview with Douglas Thompson, June 17, 1930.
(3, p57) Interview with Dwight Beach, April 28, 1931.
Interview with George Thompson, June 17, 1930.
(4, p57) Interview with Mrs. G. R. Davis, April 7, 1931.
Interview with George Thompson, June 17, 1930.
(3, p58) Interview with Dwight Beach, March 11, 1931.
Interview with George Thompson, June 17, 1931.
(1,p59) E.P. Edwards, "Historical Atlas of Sedgwick County." p. 12
(1, p75) "Wichita Eagle" March 21, 1885.
(1,p83) Interview with Josephine Thompson, March 4, 1931.
Interview with Dwight Beach, March 11, 1931.
(2,p83) Interview with Josephine Thompson, March 4, 1931.
(3,p83) Ibid.
excerpt from "Park City: How It Lived and Why It Died", by Sandra Swanson
Wiechert, 1965 - an abstract in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree master of arts, Kansas State University, Manhattan
"John T. Carpenter had come to Kansas in the late 1860's, and started a farm
about five miles east of Park City. When the survey for the Wichita and
Southwestern Railroad ran near his land, he decided to start a town, Valley
Center. He purchased Section 36, and with his family as townsite officers,
plotted a new town." (p.113)
(continued)
from....... http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/mhgs/80valley.htm
1880 U.S. Federal Census - Grant Township -Hamlet of Valley Center, Sedgwick
County, KS.
PAGE FAM NO LAST NAME FIRST NAME COLOR SEX AGE RELATIONSHIP WITH HEAD
OCCUPATION PL. OF BIRTH
PL. OF BIRTH FATHER PL. OF BIRTH MOTHER
320 C154Carpenter John F. W M 51 head grain & lumber
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
Sarh L. W F 46 wife keeping house
New HampshireNew HampshireVermont
Horace W M 22 son
Illinois Pennsylvania New York
Clara W F 21 daughter teacher
Illinois Pennsylvania New York
Arthur W M 18 son RRagt
Illinois Pennsylvania New York
E-MAIL: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 From: Marcelyn Harris Kenmarvc@aol.com
Vince Marshall sent me the data that he had sent you, and because of the
marriage of Della Sherman, whose mother was a Loper, to Horace Carpenter. I
have information gathered by my mother, Dorothy Creasser Miles, whose
grandmother was Leni Leoti Loper, an aunt of Della. I believe that Della came
to Kansas with Leni and some of her children in 1876*. She and Horance were
married in Macoupin Co.,Ill. The Loper family was from Macoupin Co.,
Illinois.
The following sketch was taken from an article written by Mrs. Adrianna
Chase LOPER Wright at the time of the dedication of the present buildings.
In the year of 1870 a small bunch of people got together and organized a
private school which was held in the kitchen of what was known at that time
as the Fulton Claim. The house stood where the Adrian P. Wright's farm was
located. (Adrian and Ancil were the sons of Adriana and Charles Wright)
The exact date is uncertain, but is supposed to be the same year 1870,
that the same band assembled to locate a school ground. Some wanted it on
the southwest corner of the Carr place and others where it is now. The Carr
location was about to win out. Mr. J. T. Carpenter remembering that women
could vote at school elections, very quietly disappeared, went home and
returned with his women folks and the present location was established.
In the spring of 1872, District 3, was organized.(which was called Gem
School, located on W. 61st St. south of Valley Center.) There was a short
term of school taught that spring in a granary just east of Ancil Wright's
home. The teacher was Ellen Carpenter. Horance, Arthur and Clara Carpenter,
and Jane Dunlap were among the pupils.
***********
Mrs. Carpenter died May 31 (or a few days before) 1917 Relatives: Mrs.
Clara J. Race of Wichita, Horace A. Carpenter, Los Angeles, CA., and Arthur
Carpenter, Chicago, Ill. *I will try to locate this in the Valley Center
Index shortly, as I did not document it very well.
********
I have given Vince several of my V.C. documents, so do not have them at hand.
The Index speaks of the Universalist Church holding it's meetings in the back
of J.T. Carpenter's bank. I have the roster of names of those belonging to
the church, and will check it for you.
Who was your great grandfather? Horace or Arthur?
Hope I haven't confused you too much. I will answer all questions that I
can!
Marcelyn Harris, PO Box 297, Valley Center, Ks 67147.
Number 5376 on page 556 in the CARPENTER MEMORIAL. No Family mentioned.
CENSUS: 1880 United States Census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Josiah CARPENTER Self M Male W 54 PA Farmer MA PA
Frances M. CARPENTER Wife M Female W 47 VT Keeping House VT VT
Chester H. CARPENTER Son S Male W 19 IL Teaching School PA VT
Willie O. CARPENTER Son S Male W 18 IL At Home PA VT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Sumner, Bremer, Iowa
Family History Library Film 1254328
NA Film Number T9-0328
Page Number 346D
CENSUS: 1880 United States Census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Loren CARPENTER Self M Male W 25 IL Clerk In Store PA VT
Sylvia CARPENTER Wife M Female W 24 PA Keeping House PA PA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Sumner, Bremer, Iowa
Family History Library Film 1254328
NA Film Number T9-0328
Page Number 346D
CENSUS: 1880 United States Census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
George WESCOTT Self M Male W 52 NY Farming VT VT
Jane WESCOTT Wife M Female W 49 PA Keeping House SCOTL MD
Monroe WESCOTT Son S Male W 24 PA Farmer NY PA
Alta WESCOTT Dau S Female W 17 PA At Home NY PA
Olive WESCOTT Dau S Female W 12 WI At Home NY PA
George CARPENTER Other S Male W 23 IL Farm Laborer PA IL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Sumner, Bremer, Iowa
Family History Library Film 1254328
NA Film Number T9-0328
Page Number 344C
CENSUS: 1850 US Census. Liseted as C. Carpenter.
CENSUS: 1880 United States Census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Washington CARPENTER Self M Male W 46 PA Farmer --- ---
Elizabeth CARPENTER Wife M Female W 35 PA Keeping House PA PA
Homer CARPENTER Son S Male W 16 IL At Home PA IL
May CARPENTER Dau S Female W 10 IA At Home PA IL
Earnest CARPENTER Son S Male W 8 IA At Home PA IL
Charles GOLDING SSon S Male W 10 IA At Home ENGL PA
Eva ELLSWORTH Other S Female W 22 IA Works At Home PA IL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Sumner, Bremer, Iowa
Family History Library Film 1254328
NA Film Number T9-0328
Page Number 344C
Jeff Carpenter of Binghamton, NY submitted this Carpenter line in October 1998.
10666. Triphena or Tryphena Carpenter
CENSUS: 1880 United States Census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Gilbert F. BURNS Self M Male W 50 OH Farmer NY PA
Triphina BURNS Wife M Female W 42 PA Keeping House PA CT
Herbert CARPENTER SSon S Male W 20 PA At Home PA PA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Herrick, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania
Family History Library Film 1255196
NA Film Number T9-1196
Page Number 13A
CENSUS: 1850 US Census:
There was a Harding Carpenter, age 13, son of Artemus Carpenter in the 1850 US Census of Susquehanna county, PA.Hardin or Harding died between 1860 and 1880. Not sure when. Or if he more children.
10673. Hardin or Harding Carpenter
CENSUS: 1850 US Census:
There was a Harding Carpenter, age 13, son of Artemus Carpenter in the 1850 US Census of Susquehanna county, PA.Hardin or Harding died between 1860 and 1880. Not sure when. Or if he more children.
Triphena or Tryphena Carpenter
CENSUS: 1880 United States Census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Gilbert F. BURNS Self M Male W 50 OH Farmer NY PA
Triphina BURNS Wife M Female W 42 PA Keeping House PA CT
Herbert CARPENTER SSon S Male W 20 PA At Home PA PA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
Census Place Herrick, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania
Family History Library Film 1255196
NA Film Number T9-1196
Page Number 13A