Louise P. Miller Carpenter, 1832-1917

CARPENTER, MILLER, SILLGE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/2/2010 at 22:37:48

Passing of Noble Woman
Mrs. Charles C. Carpenter Dies Suddenly Thursday Afternoon, March 1, 1917
A Greatly Beloved Citizen
Had Resided in Estherville and Vicinity Since 1884 – Was Past Eighty-five Years of Age
Mrs. Charles C. Carpenter passed away at her home on North Sixth street Thursday afternoon, March 1, just a little past twelve o’clock. Although deceased had been ill for some time of pneumonia and complications, on that day she seemed greatly improved and relatives and friends had great hopes of her ultimate recovery. In fact, her daughter, Mrs. Oscar Sillge, and Mrs. A. E. Gaylord were at her bedside a little before twelve and she chatted with them cheerfully and planned for a visit to Corydon, the future home of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Gaylord. However, soon after they left she began to fail and in a few minutes the soul had left the frail body.

Saturday afternoon at two o’clock the funeral was held from the residence, conducted by Rev. R. C. Mitchell of the Presbyterian church, of which organization deceased was a consistent member, having been one of the charter members. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of her husband who had departed this life in 1902. The floral offerings were very beautiful, tributes of the love and esteem in which deceased was held in the community.

Mrs. Carpenter was one of Estherville’s most dearly beloved old ladies. Her declining years were mostly spent with her son, Frank, and to him she was a benediction, and on whom the death falls most heavily.

Her maiden name was Louise P. Miller, born at Martinsburgh, New York, January 7, 1932, and hence at the time of her death was 85 years, 1 month and 5 days of age.

August 21, 1856, she was united in marriage at Fondulac, Wisconsin, to Charles C. Carpenter, and to this union six children were born. Two daughters died and were buried in Spirit Lake. The four surviving children are: W. C. Carpenter of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. H. O. Sillge, Charles F. Carpenter and Postmaster Frank Carpenter of this city.

In October, 1859 she came with her husband and family to Spirit Lake, Iowa, making the entire trip from Wisconsin with an ox team in a covered wagon, consuming four weeks of time. They settled on a homestead near the town of Spirit Lake on what is known as “Thatcher’s Grove,” where they lived until after the Indian massacre at New Ulm, when they moved to Webster City, Iowa, in 1864, where the family remained until 1884 when they moved to Emmet county and located on a farm four miles southeast of Estherville. In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter removed from their farm to Estherville and built them a home on North Sixth street, where both resided until called by death. The husband passed away May 22, 1902.

Deceased united with the Presbyterian church of this city while it was in its infancy n 1884, being one of the fifteen members, and when services were held every fourth Sunday in Graves’ Hall over the Estherville State Bank. The minister had has his charge Spirit Lake, Estherville, Swan Lake and a few small towns and school houses in this vicinity. She kept the faith and passed away as she had lived, a true Christian woman. (The Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, March 7, 1917)