Thomas J. Carpenter , dealer in real estate at Midland, was born July 15,
1807, in Wheatland (then) Genesee Co, N. Y. He is the son of Powell and
Lucy (Kellam) Carpenter, and was reared as a farmer's son, obtaining his
education in the common schools.
In 1831, he came to the Peninsula State. He bought 350 acres of "oak
openings" in Orion Township, Oakland County, and cleared 200 acres, forming
a first-class farm. In 1855 he bought 400 acres of land in the western part
of Midland County, lying on the Chippewa river, to which he added by
subsequent purchase until his aggregated real estate amounted to 3,000
acres, of which he still retains about 2,500 acres. In 1859 he bought a
half interest in a saw-mill in the eastern part of the village of Midland,
in company with A. W. Thompson. A shingle mill was added to this, and six
years later the entire establishment was burned, involving a loss to Mr.
Carpenter of $3,000. In 1859 he bought 160 acres of land, now included in
the site of Midland and constituting the northeastern portion of the
village. It was platted in 1860, and includes 120 acres in extent. In 1860
Mr. Carpenter disposed of his property in Oakland Co. He has held numerous
township offices and has been closely identified with school interests since
his settlement in the county.
Mr. Carpenter was married May 7, 1831, in Montgomery County, N. Y. to
Julliette Clarke. She was born February 10, 1803, in the State of New York,
and is the daughter of Samuel Clarke. Of seven children born to Mr. And
Mrs. Carpenter, five are living. Della, wife of Alfred Owen of Kansas (who
died in Kansas, March 1884), was born Feb. 14 1830; Sylvia P. (Mrs. B. F.
Thorne, residing at Bay City) was born Jan, 12, 1835: Powel, a farmer in
Orion, Oakland County, was born Feb. 8, 1837: Samuel C. , born June 7, 1841,
died Dec. 27, 1842; Juliette C., born Sept, 29, 1844, is the wife of James
Van Klerk, of Midland. Thomas J., born June 26, 1850, died Sept 19, 1854.
The mother died eight days after the death of the youngest child. Mr.
Carpenter was a second time married May 26, 1856, to Catherine Casamer,
daughter of Isaac and Prudence (Buchimer) Casamer, born in Greenville,
Sussex Co., N. J. Jan 15 1831. Mr. Carpenter has been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church since 1827; his wife has been a member since
1847.
The portrait of Mr. Carpenter, which appears on the opposite page, is that
of a pioneer citizen of Midland City and County.
This is from Central Michigan University Clarke Historical Library.