William Riley Carpenter1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 14308, (1830 - 1920)
FatherNathaniel Carpenter4,2 (abt 1807 - )
MotherAlmira Lewis5,2 (5 Sep 1810 - 14 Apr 1888)

Key Events:

Birth: 30 Jul 1830, Lockport, Niagara Co., New York6,7,8
Marriage: about 1857, New York, Polly Cronkhite (30 Jul 1835 - 5 Sep 1871)9,10,11
Marriage: 17 Nov 1874, Allegan Co., Michigan, Mary Jane Andrews (10 Jun 1858 - 1 Nov 1945)12,13,14,15
Death: 18 May 1920, Watson Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan2
Burial: 20 May 1920, East Martin Cemetery, Martin, Allegan Co., Michigan2,16

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     William Riley Carpenter was born on 30 Jul 1830 in Lockport, Niagara Co., New York.6,7,8
     He was probably the male age 5 to 10 listed in the household of his father, Nathaniel Carpenter, in the 1840 Federal Census of Middlesex, Yates Co., New York.17
     He has not been found in the 1850 census, though it appears he was still in New York. He was not listed with his parents, who appear in the census of Cohocton, Steuben Co., New York. But he was back with them by 1855.18 He appeared on the 1855 State Census of Hartland, Niagara Co., New York, in the household of his parents.4
     He described himself as a farmer in 1855.19

Getting Married and Moving West --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     William married first Polly Cronkhite, daughter of James Cronkhite and Lucena [surname unknown], about 1857, likely in New York, since her parents did not move west until many years later, but no marriage record has been found.9,10,11
     William and Polly settled in Illinois after their marriage. They appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Bonus, Boone Co., Illinois, enumerated 26 Jun 1860, reporting no real or personal estate. Their children Willis and Charles were listed as living with them.20
     He was a laborer after he moved to Illinois.21,22,23,24,25
     William and Polly moved to Michigan about 1863.26 William registered for the draft for the Civil War, appearing on the register dated Jun and Jul 1863, while living in Prairieville, Michigan, reporting he was a carpenter.27

Serving in the Civil War --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     William enlisted in Company L, 11th Michigan Cavalry as a private 22 Oct 1863, at Kalamazoo, for three years. He was later promoted to sergeant.28,29,30 The 11th left Kalamazoo for Lexington, Kentucky, with 920 officers and men, reaching there 22 Dec. Individual companies took part in scouts and skirmishes until Apr 1864, when the regiment moved to Lousia, Kentucky and was placed in the 1st brigade, 1st division, of the Army of Ohio.31
     In September the regiment participated in a raid on the extensive salt works at Saltville, Virginia, reaching it 2 Oct 1864. The works were well defended, and the attack was repelled, with the 11th suffering a loss of 86 men killed, wounded, or missing. It made its way back through the mountains to Lexington by mid-October.32
     During the fall and winter months the regiment was engaged in a series of skirmishes and raids, moving across the Cumberland mountains, through the Cumberland Gap to the area of Abington, Virginia. On 11 Dec 1864 the 11th joined the forces under General Stoneman on a raid into North Carolina. Then it joined a massive force for another raid on the Virginia Salt works, this time successful. By Jan 1865 the regiment was back in Lexington, Kentucky, but with three quarters of the men dismounted because of loss of their horses for want of forage.33
     William received a disability discharge 24 Apr 1865, in Lexington, Kentucky, for a fractured left hip.28,34,35

Returning to Civilian Life --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     William and Polly appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Prairieville, Barry Co., Michigan, enumerated 30 Jul 1870, reporting no real or personal estate. Their children Willis, Eveline, Anna, Byron and Edgar were listed as living with them.36
     He had returned to farming by 1870, but did work from time to time as a laborer.22,23,24,25
     His wife died on 5 Sep 1871.37

Starting a Second Family --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     William married second Mary Jane Andrews, daughter of Asel Andrews and Ann Dine, on 17 Nov 1874 in Allegan Co., Michigan.12,13,14,15
     William and Mary appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Martin, Allegan Co., Michigan, enumerated 9 Jun 1880. Their children Ada and Florence, and his children by his prior marriage, Byron and Edgar, were listed as living with them.38
     William appeared on the Veterans Schedules of the 1890 Federal Census of Martin Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan. The remainder of the 1890 census record for his household in not available because those records were destroyed by fire in 1921.39
     William and Mary appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Wayland Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, enumerated 19 Jun 1900, reporting they owned their farm. Their son Roy was listed as living with them.40
     William and Mary appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Wayland Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, enumerated 6 May 1910, reporting they owned their farm, free of mortgage.41
     William and Mary appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, in the household of their daughter Bertha and her husband, Franklin F. Scherer.42
     William died on 18 May 1920 in Watson Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 89.2 He was buried on 20 May 1920 in East Martin Cemetery, Martin, Allegan Co., Michigan.2,16

Children:
     Children with Polly Cronkhite:

  • Willis N. Carpenter43,44,45 (17 May 1859 - 16 May 1932)
  • Charles Henry Carpenter43,44,46 (2 Mar 1860 - 28 Dec 1946)
  • Eveline Carpenter36 (abt 1862 - )
  • Anna B. Carpenter36,47 (27 Jan 1864 - 19 Apr 1945)
  • Byron Carpenter44,38 (14 Feb 1867 - 12 Jul 1948)
  • Edgar Carpenter44,38,48 (11 May 1869 - 17 Nov 1956)

Children:
     Children with Mary Jane Andrews:

  • Ada B. Carpenter38,49 (6 Mar 1876 - 6 Aug 1957)
  • Florence Ella Carpenter38,50 (6 Jul 1879 - 14 Mar 1958)
  • Bertha May Carpenter51,52 (15 Feb 1885 - 6 Jan 1947)
  • Roy W. Carpenter40 (7 Mar 1890 - 21 Nov 1980)

Citations

  1. [S10659] Nathaniel Carpenter household, 1855 New York State Census, Niagara Co., New York, Hartland, shows name as William Carpenter.
  2. [S10654] William Riley Carpenter, Certificate of Death.
  3. [S10674] Then and Now Historical & Genealogical Society of Eastern Allegan Co. Michigan, "Civil War card file", card for William Riley Carpenter.
  4. [S10659] Nathaniel Carpenter household, 1855 New York State Census, Niagara Co., New York, Hartland.
  5. [S10659] Nathaniel Carpenter household, 1855 New York State Census, Niagara Co., New York, Hartland, shows him as son of her husband.
  6. [S10659] Nathaniel Carpenter household, 1855 New York State Census, Niagara Co., New York, Hartland, shows age 25 and state.
  7. [S10674] Then and Now Historical & Genealogical Society of Eastern Allegan Co. Michigan, "Civil War card file", card for William Riley Carpenter, shows date, town, county, and state.
  8. [S10654] William Riley Carpenter, Certificate of Death, shows date town, and state.
  9. [S10661] William Carpenter household, 1860 U.S. Census, Boone Co., Illinois, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  10. [S10655] William Carpenter household, 1870 U.S. Census, Barry Co., Michigan, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  11. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 163750472, Polly Cronkhite Carpenter, includes tombstone photo showing her as his wife.
  12. [S10653] Wm. Carpenter household, 1880 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows married.
  13. [S10662] William Carpenter household, 1900 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows married 24 years.
  14. [S10663] William Carpenter household, 1910 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows married 35 years.
  15. [S468] Hellewell, "Submission AF96-101562" family tree, FamilySearch.org, shows date, county, and state.
  16. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 96766645, Sgt William Riley Carpenter, includes tombstone photo.
  17. [S10660] Nathaniel Carpenter household, 1840 U.S. Census, Yates Co., New York.
  18. [S10671] Nathaniel Carpenter household, 1850 U.S. Census, Steuben Co., New York.
  19. [S10659] Nathaniel Carpenter household, 1855 New York State Census, Niagara Co., New York, Hartland, shows occupation as farmer.
  20. [S10661] William Carpenter household, 1860 U.S. Census, Boone Co., Illinois.
  21. [S10661] William Carpenter household, 1860 U.S. Census, Boone Co., Illinois, shows occupation as labourer.
  22. [S10655] William Carpenter household, 1870 U.S. Census, Barry Co., Michigan, shows occupation as farmer.
  23. [S10653] Wm. Carpenter household, 1880 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows occupation as laborer.
  24. [S10662] William Carpenter household, 1900 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows occupation as farmer.
  25. [S10663] William Carpenter household, 1910 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows occupation as farmer and industry as general farm.
  26. [S10653] Wm. Carpenter household, 1880 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows Eveline, age 8, as born in Illinois, and Anne, age 6, as born in Michigan.
  27. [S10672] Wm R Carpenter, Civil War Draft Registrations Records.
  28. [S10673] Turner, Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War,, 41:21.
  29. [S10674] Then and Now Historical & Genealogical Society of Eastern Allegan Co. Michigan, "Civil War card file", card for William Riley Carpenter, shows date and unit.
  30. [S10675] William R. Carpenter entry, 1890 U.S. Census, veterans schedule, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows enlistment date, as 4th, company L, 11 Mich Cav, and rank, as Sergeant.
  31. [S10673] Turner, Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War,, 41:1-2.
  32. [S10673] Turner, Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War,, 41:2.
  33. [S10673] Turner, Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War,, 41:2-3.
  34. [S10675] William R. Carpenter entry, 1890 U.S. Census, veterans schedule, Allegan Co., Michigan, shows discharge date and disability.
  35. [S10674] Then and Now Historical & Genealogical Society of Eastern Allegan Co. Michigan, "Civil War card file", card for William Riley Carpenter, shows date and on surgeon's certificate.
  36. [S10655] William Carpenter household, 1870 U.S. Census, Barry Co., Michigan.
  37. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 163750472, Polly Cronkhite Carpenter, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  38. [S10653] Wm. Carpenter household, 1880 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan.
  39. [S10675] William R. Carpenter entry, 1890 U.S. Census, veterans schedule, Allegan Co., Michigan.
  40. [S10662] William Carpenter household, 1900 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan.
  41. [S10663] William Carpenter household, 1910 U.S. Census, Allegan Co., Michigan.
  42. [S10664] Franklin F. Scherer household, 1920 U.S. Census, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan.
  43. [S10661] William Carpenter household, 1860 U.S. Census, Boone Co., Illinois, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  44. [S10655] William Carpenter household, 1870 U.S. Census, Barry Co., Michigan, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  45. [S10656] Willis N. Carpenter, Certificate of Death.
  46. [S4328] "Michigan, Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995," FamilySearch.org, record for Henry Carpenter.
  47. [S10657] Anna B Noble, Certificate of Death.
  48. [S9243] "Michigan, Death Records, 1867-1952," Ancestry.com, record for Edd Carpenter.
  49. [S9243] "Michigan, Death Records, 1867-1952," Ancestry.com, record for Ada B. Woodward.
  50. [S2785] Marriage Register, State Copy, Michigan, 1923, Kalamazoo Co., no 22110, James W. Scott and Florence E. Fenker.
  51. [S10664] Franklin F. Scherer household, 1920 U.S. Census, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, show him as father-in-law and her as wife of head of household.
  52. [S4328] "Michigan, Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995," FamilySearch.org, record for Bertha May Scherer.