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Asa P. Carpenter, retired farmer and teacher, resident on section 6, Croton Township, was born in Waterford, Caledonia Co., Vt., Sept. 2, 1802, and is the son of Asa and Erepta (Grow) Carpenter. His father was born in 1770, in Ashford, Conn., and died Sept. 10, 1826; he was a son of Jonah Carpenter, who came to American soon after the Pilgrims made their first settlement in Massachusetts. The mother of Mr. Carpenter was born in 1780, in Hartland, Vt., and died in 1862.
The father of Mr. Carpenter was a Congregational minister and gave his son a good available education. He commenced the vocation of teaching at the age of 18 years. He taught his first school in the town of Victor, Ontario Co., NY, in 1820. In 1824 he went to Canada. He was married Oct. 3, 1824, in Lewiston, Niagara Co., NY to Margaret, daughter of John and Catherine (Huff) Ulman. She was born April 27, 1789. Her father was born in 1754, in Lancaster, Pa., and died in 1833. Her mother was born about 1764, in Canajoharie, NY and died in 1835. Nine of twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are living. Following are all their names in the order of birth: Joseph Warren, Alethia, John Grow, Henry Ulman (died of a wound in the army, and is buried at Alexandria, Va.), Margaret Ann, Asa and Erepta (twins), Benjamin, Charles Carrol (died by drowning) Elizabeth Catherine and Mary Jane. The latter were twins and Mary Jane is deceased.
Mr. Carpenter was exclusively occupied in teaching until 1853, when he came to Michigan. He bought 40 acres of land in Croton, Newaygo Co., and has added by purchase 80 acres more, where himself and wife now reside. The children have all scattered away to homes and interests of their own, except the son Benjamin, who lives upon a part of the homestead.
Mr. Carpenter has always been actively interested in politics, and records himself as an inflexible Republican. He has held the office of Town Clerk six years, Superintendent of the Poor seven years, has been Coroner of the county and Justice of the Peace 12 years, and has officiated as School Inspector most of the time since he settled in Croton. He has taken the New York Tribune 40 years. Himself and wife belong to the Congregational Church.
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