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Carpenter, William, was born in Oxford, Chenango county, N. Y., July 26, 1827, second of a family of ten children
born to James and Elizabeth (Dodge) Carpenter. James was born in Otsego county in 1800, and Mrs. Carpenter was
born in Preston, Chenango county, in 1802. The grandfather, Joseph, spent his life in Otsego county. where he died
in 1808. The maternal grandfather, Peter Dodge, was born in Chenango county, and died in East Troupsburg. James
Carpenter was a farmer and came to East Troupsburg in 1831, where he died at the age of eighty two years. His wife
died at the age of thirty nine years. William was reared on the farm and was educated in the district schools He
remained at home until he reached his majority, when he, with his brother Willis, took up a farm of 100 acres in
Troupsburg, which he soon sold and purchased another farm of 100 acres, where he lived for twelve years. He then
bought and sold various farms until coming to Woodhull, where he owns a fine farm of 300 acres. The year 1876 was
spent in Tioga county, Pa. Mr. Carpenter lived on his farm at Woodhull until 1885, when he came to the village
and now lives a retired life. In 1853 he was poormaster in Troupsburg, 1858-59, highway commissioner, and in 1862,
supervisor. He was supervisor of Woodhull in 1873, '74, '75, road commissioner in 1869, and justice of the peace
for eight consecutive years. He has been trustee of the academy for nine years. November 19, 1850, he married Miriam
Pease, by whom he had six daughters and one son: Susan, wife of J. Edwards; Huldah, wife of R. L. Symonds; Delphian,
wife of E. Bats; Jennie, wife of William Cook; Lydia, wife of J. C. Husted; Jessie, and W. G. Carpenter. On the
4th day of July, 1894, William Carpenter was chosen president of the day, and here is his opening speech: "Friends,
we have met here today to celebrate the day that was created 117 years ago today. On the 4th day of July, in the
year 1776, my friends, we ever must revere. Our fathers took their muskets then to fight for freedom dear. We had
Green, Gates and Putnam to manage in the field, a gallant train of heroes, who rather die than yield. Then you
remember the battles which were fought: The battle of Bunker Hill, the battle of Lexington, the battle of Trenton,
and finally the battle of Yorktown, where the American Independence was gained. 'Twas then and there the brave
old soldiers said 'King George, we do not fear the rattling of your thunder nor lightning of your spear.' In a
few months after that peace was declared, and we became a great nation. Friends, what do we see? Then we see the
emigrants coming to our shores; they come from every nation; they come from every way; they come, they come to
the Land of the free and the home of the brave.' Then these emigrants; some go to the northward, some go to the
southward, but the great majority go westward, westward the Star of the Empire, the star of Liberty, until we have
sixty five millions of free and happy people. Friends, lest I weary you, in conclusion would say, I am proud of
our country; I am proud of these old soldiers sitting here; I am proud of these gentlemen sitting at my right;
and above all I am proud of that old flag; long may it wave. 'Long may it wave, o'er the land of the free and the
home of the brave.' We are a great nation, indeed who has a better right to celebrate?" -Com.
From:
Landmarks of Steuben County, New York
Edited by: Hon. Harlo Hakes
Assisted by: L. C. Aldrich and others
D. Mason & Co., Publishers
Syracuse, N. Y. 1896
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