ANOTHER PIONEER GONE

People of Bellingham were extremely sad Sunday when it was learned that Grandpa Carpenter had passed away at the home of his grandson, Wm. Carpenter. Altho 90 years of age, yet Mr. Carpenter was hale and hearty and was down town nearly every day. He hardly knew what it was to be sick and when he celebrated his ninetieth birthday last April he said he expected to live to be a hundred.

Noah Lee Carpenter, was born April 29, 1833, on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee. His mother was a second cousin of General Robert E. Lee.

While a boy he attended the country public school.

He was married in Jefferson County, Ill, while still young to Elizabeth Clink, and to this union five children were born. His wife died in 1916 and a daughter at the age of sixteen.

Mr. Carpenter is survived by two sons: Sam Carpenter of Park Rapids, Minn., and Lem Carpenter of St. John, N.D. Also two daughters: Mrs. Kjonaas of Park Rapids, Minn., and Mrs. Carcott of Rolla, N.D. He had seventeen grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren.

He was a very religious man and was converted at the age of 14 years and joined the Methodist church. He was always active in church work and was licensed as a local preacher and served in this capacity when occasion offered.

He came to Bellingham in 1917 and has since made his home with his grandson, Wm. He always attended the Evangelical church here and he preached his last sermon in that church on his 90th birthday last April.

Mr. Carpenter took sick with pneumonia about a week ago and seemed to recover, but his heart gave out and he passed away last Sunday morning. The funeral services were held Tuesday from the Evangelical Church.

Thus another of the old pioneers has left us to join the great array of those who have gone before.

*****Note from Martina*****
Many of Noah's family, (father, mother, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles) lived in Jefferson County for many years. In 1850 Noah and his brothers and sisters lived in Marion County, next door to his mother and stepfather, Elisha and Temperance Carpenter Harmon. The Bryan, Elkins, Maxfield, Fields, and Harmon families, among others were all related to his family. It's possible that an obituary was printed in Jefferson County for Noah but I haven't checked yet. I don't know if there was a local newspaper then.

Source: Bellingham Times - Bellingham, Minnesota
Date: October 4, 1997
Submitted By: Martina Carpenter