Carpenter, Lewis J., M.D.

CARPENTER, JAMISON, ROOD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/11/2009 at 19:58:36

Lewis J. Carpenter, M. D. Success in any profession can only be obtained through industry and study, and the good physician must necessarily be the hardest of workers and the best of students. Jasper County is proud to number among her physicians the one with whose name we head this sketch. He is a most conscientious man, and whatever he undertakes is done thoroughly. He keeps apace with every onward movement made in his profession and presents a remarkable example of what may be accomplished by unremitting toil.

A native of Delaware County, Ohio, our subject was born to Daniel and Esther (Jamison) Carpenter April 12, 1838. The father, who was also a native of the Buckeye State, there resided until reaching his twenty-sixth year, at which time he moved to Illinois with his family, there making his permanent home. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that calling throughout life. The mother of our subject, who was a Virginian, moved to Ohio when quite young, and at her death, which occurred in 1846, left a family of five children. Our subject was a child of two and a-half years at the time of the removal or the family to the Prairie State, where the mother died in Coles County. Four years later his father again married, and removed to another portion of the state.

When young Carpenter was a lad of about twelve years, he started out in life on his own account, working on the farm until reaching his majority. Being very desirous of gaining a good education, he employed every spare moment in the study of good books, and when reaching his twenty-first year was qualified to teach school. While thus engaged, for eleven years he also read medicine, and in 1870 he began the practice of that profession. His first course of study was carried on in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, where he attended one course. He practiced until about seven years ago, when he entered the Northwestern College at St. Joseph Mo., whence he was graduated in the spring of 1886. Since that time he has practiced in Galesburg, his field covering a large territory.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah Rood was celebrl1ted September 24, 1863. Mrs. Carpenter was born in 1846, in Illinois, where she was residing at the time of her marriage. She was the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Rood, and is a most intellectual and cultured lady, winning friends wherever she goes. By her union with our subject three children have been born. Oscar O. is following in his father's footsteps and is preparing himself to become a physician; although the proprietor of a drug store at Des Moines, he very much prefers to give his time to the practice of medicine and surgery. L. W. Frank, the second son, is a prominent merchant in Buena Vista Township, Jasper County. Fred, the youngest son, is studying pharmacy in Des Moines.

In whatever community Doctor Carpenter has resided he has always taken a prominent part in the management of public affairs. Politically he is an independent Democrat, and socially is a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, and has been identified with Monumental Lodge No. 311 at Galesburg for the past three years. He is deeply interested in this organization, and at the present time holds the office of Treasurer. Mrs. Carpenter is a devoted member of the Christian Church, in the various societies of which she takes a leading part. The Doctor is widely known throughout this county and is exceedingly popular in his community. Gifted by nature with high endowments, he has cultivated these to the utmost, and his indefatigable labor has brought to him the esteem of his fellow men. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 651.