My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Martin Carpenter, a farmer and stock raiser, was born in Lawrence County, Miss., February 9, 1819, and is the third and only living child in the family of four born to Solomon and Mary (Smith) Carpenter. Solomon Carpenter was born in Georgia, where he lived until about 1810, when he removed to Mississippi. He served as orderly-sergeant under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, at the close of which he returned to Lawrence County, Miss., and engaged in farming. In later life he removed to Copiah County, Miss., where he died in 1839. After the death of his first wife Solomon Carpenter married Nancy Hudnell, who died leaving five children, all now deceased, and Mr. Carpenter took for his third wife Mary Howell. She became the mother of two children, and still survives her husband. Martin Carpenter, who was but two years of age when his mother died, lived with his father until seventeen years of age, when he had his home with an uncle. In 1840 he immigrated to Arkansas, and located in Franklin County near where he now lives, which county has since been his home. He served one year in the Mexican War, under William G. Preston, and participated in the battle of Buena Vista. At the outbreak of the late Civil War he enlisted as a private, was made second lieutenant, and subsequently commissioned captain of his company, serving honorably and actively until the close of the struggle. In 1844 Mr. Carpenter married Martha Ann Moffatt, a native of Tennessee, and of the ten children born to them four are now living, viz.: Thomas J., Patterson, Cosenia and Robert E. Mrs. Carpenter died August 14, 1885. Mr. Carpenter is a member of Clarksville Lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M. When but twenty-three years of age he was elected justice of the peace, which office he held two years. He has 150 acres of land under cultivation and is an enterprising citizen of the county.

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This family biography is one of 163 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Franklin County, Arkansas family biographies here: Franklin County, Arkansas

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