For practically forty years Hiram U. Carpenter has been identified, in one way or another, with the livestock business at Sioux City, and during this period he has been a witness of and a participant in the wonderful growth of the business from a small beginning to its present mammoth proportions, Sioux City now being one of the chief livestock markets of the world. He is now vice president and general manager of Long & Hansen, one of the old and reliable livestock commission houses of this city, and because of his success and his splendid personality has gained an enviable place in the esteem of all who know him. Mr. Carpenter was born in Chickasaw county, Iowa, on the 27th of May, 1869, and is a son of Alpheus and Sarah (Layton) Carpenter. His father was a native of Montpelier, Vermont, while his mother was born in England, from which country she was brought to the United States in childhood. She became the wife of Alpheus Carpenter in Nashua, Iowa. Mr. Carpenter was a man of progressive and enterprising spirit and established the first steam sawmill in Chickasaw county, operating it a number of years in Bradford. Later he engaged in the livery business. He and his wife are now both deceased.

Hiram U. Carpenter secured his educational training in the public schools of Charles City, Iowa, and his first employment was in carrying bricks used in the building of the courthouse at Spencer, Iowa, being sixteen years of age at the time. Later he worked four or five summers at railroad construction work, mostly grading, in Nebraska and South Dakota, and in November, 1887, came to Sioux City, being for some years employed at the stockyards. In 1899 he began his identification with the live stock commission business as yard man for Long & Hansen. Later he was made hog salesman for this firm, which position he held until 1910, when he became a partner. Eight years later he became vice-president of the company and on March 1, 1925, was made the active manager of the business, which position he still fills.

In 1893, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Mary Niven, of Hampton, Iowa, and to this union have been born two children, namely: Orpha, who died in 1896; and Harry U., who is connected with his father's company. Mr. Carpenter is a member of Morningside Lodge, No. 615, A. F. & A. M.; Sunrise Chapter, No.l 141, R. A. M.; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A. A. S. R.; Abu-Bekr Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; Isis Chapter, No. 173, O. E. S.; Mispah Shrine, No. 13, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem; the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Homesteaders. Mrs. Carpenter belongs to the Eastern Star and the White Shrine. Mr. Carpenter is vice-president of the Sioux City Live Stock Exchange, and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member and director of the Morningside Country Club and of the Morningside planning commission. The family are all members of the Morningside Presbyterian church. Mr. Carpenter is of the highest type of progressive citizen, standing for all that is best in community life and supporting every measure calculated to advance the public interests. Candid and straightforward in all of his relations, he has long held a high place in public esteem and is regarded as one of the representative men of his community.

From A Narrative History of the People of Iowa, Vol IV, Chicago: American Historical Society, 1931, Edgar Rubey Harlan

Andrew Jackson Conner, was born in Logan Co, Ohio on Sep. 13 1823, son of James Conner and Elizabeth Nickolson. In the 1840 census he was living in Kosciusko Co. Indiana with his parents and working as a carpenter. By 1846 he had gone west to Des Moines, Iowa and when his father died he returned to Indiana to help his mother. In 1853 he married Lydia Ann George, in Sturges, Michigan on September 12, 1853 and he and his bride departed for New Hampton, Deerfield Township, Chickasaw County, Iowa to join his brother John Conner. (John Conner is listed as an early settler when the 1919 History was written, however his brother Andrew Jackson Conner arriving also in 1853 was omitted).

They had four lovely daughters, Clara L. born August 29, 1854. Lydia M born December 32, 1856, Elizabeth born January 2, 1859 and Martha born Jan 25, 1861.

With the Civil War going strong in 1861, Andrew volunteered and was assigned to the 9th; Indiana Co. "E". First assignment was Cheat Mountains, West Virginia under command of Capt. S A. Cole. He was discharged at Victoria, Texas, September 29, 1865.

After his return back to Iowa, Andrew Conner continued farming the home place. On February 12, 1867 Emma Lenore Conner was born and they now had a family of five daughters.

The 1880 US Federal Census shows the Andrew J Conner family in Deerfield Twp. Chickasaw Co, Iowa age 55, born in Ohio. Parents - father born in Ireland and mother in PA. With his wife Lydia Ann, they have at home 3 of the 5 daughters, Mary age 23, Martha age 17, and Emma age 12. His occupation is farmer which he had been since arriving in Iowa .

In the 1880's the family moved to Staples, Todd Co. Minnesota where at age 84 he died and is buried in the Staples Cemetery.

Andrew Conner was proud to have served in the Civil War and proudly wore his medals with pride.