Luther F. Carpenter, Indiantown, was born December 3, 1819, in Bristol, R. I. At an early age he was taken to Rehoboth, Mass. by his parents. His father, Abiah Carpenter, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., where he died. He was Captain of a band of musicians in the war of 1812. The grandfather of our subject, Abiah Carpenter, Sr., was also a native of Massachusetts, where he died. The mother of our subject, Rosina Goff, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., where she yet resides. She is a daughter of Levi Goff, and is the mother of nine children, viz.: Cyrel, George and Luther F. Carpenter. The first two children are deceased. The next six children are the result of a second marriage, with Joshua Drawn, viz.: Alvin, William, Matilda, Mary J., Almon C. and Martha A. Drawn. Of the above, Alvin, William and Mary J. are deceased.
Mr. L. F. Carpenter received a common school education in his native State. He learned the machinist’s trade in Taunton, Mass., and worked at it there until the spring of 1855, when he came West and settled in Indiantown Township, Bureau Co., Ill., where he bought eighty acres of land. At present he owns a farm of 433 acres–the result of his industry and perseverance. Since coming West Mr. Carpenter has made farming his principal occupation, although he worked a short time at his trade in Aurora and Chicago.
He was married in Taunton, Mass., to Betsy B. Barney, who was born in Taunton, January 1, 1826. She is the daughter of Oliver and Betsy (Babbit) Barney, and is the mother of four children, viz.: Mrs. Elizabeth Dexter; George A., deceased, aged eighteen years; Sterophine and Mrs. Josephine Anthony, twins, the former deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are active members of the Congregational Church.
He is a Republican, and has filled township offices.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885