Dr. William Thomas Carpenter, M.D.

Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 15, Number 42 [Thursday, March 9, 1911], page 1, columns 2-3 OBITUARY

Last Thursday evening a telegram was received here announcing the sudden death of Dr. William T. Carpenter at Maitland, Florida, where he was at his winter home with Mrs. Carpenter and daughter, Miss Mary, having gone to that city from Washington, D.C., where he had visited his sons, Will and James, for several weeks enroute [sic – en route] from Iron Mountain. The attack from which he died was very sudden. Mrs. Carpenter and Miss Mary were with him at the time of the attack. He was in an easy chair and was seemingly in good health. Suddenly he called for Mrs. Carpenter and was unconscious when she reached his side.

A physician was immediately summoned, but when he arrived, heaven had been enriched by the entrance of a noble soul and the angels were singing a song of welcome. Dr. Carpenter's death was due to a disease of the heart of long standing, and for several years it had been necessary for him to seek a warmer climate. The remains arrived here from Florida last Monday morning accompanied by the members of the family and were taken directly form the train to the Cemetery Park. The funeral was strictly a family affair in accordance with the wishes of Dr. Carpenter, who, while he dearly loved his fellowmen, was desirous of avoiding an ostentations funeral. He had led a quiet earthly life and it was his desire to enter the presence of His Maker as unostentatious as a child.

Dr. Carpenter was seventy-three years of age at the time of his death and was one of the leading physicians of the upper peninsula. He was beloved and honored by his fellows and was never more happy than when he could help the young practitioner.

Dr. Carpenter was born June 5th, 1838, at Medina, Ohio, and was a member of a notable family. His father was Judge J.S. Carpenter, of Akron, Ohio, and he was a brother to Gen. Gilbert S. Carpenter, of the United States army, who died a few years ago. His sister, Mrs. C.W. Tyler, of Warren, Ohio, survives him. Dr. Carpenter was a graduate of the University of Vermont. During the civil war, Dr. Carpenter was an agent in the field for the United States Sanitary Commission and later, after taking his medical degree at the University of Nashville, he was an assistant surgeon with the Army of Tennessee. After the war, Dr. Carpenter continued his medical studies at Bellevue Hospital, New York City and practiced for several years in that city. In 1872, on account of a more favorable climate, Dr. Carpenter removed from New York City to the upper peninsula, locating at Ishpeming. Dr. Carpenter was, next to Dr. Bigelow, the first physician to locate in Ishpeming. He became associated with Dr. Bigelow in the Ishpeming Hospital and practiced there for about ten years, when he disposed of his interests to Dr. T.A. Felch and moved to Stambaugh in 1883. In 1891 he located in Iron Mountain and was a resident of this city at the time of his death.

In 1872, prior to his removal to Michigan, Dr. Carpenter was married to Miss Carolina Vilas, of Burlington, Vermont. He is survived by his wife and four children: Gilbert V. and Miss Mary, of Iron Mountain, and William R. and James S.of Washington. In the death of Dr. Carpenter, Iron Mountain, has lost her best beloved citizen. He will be mourned equally in the homes of the poor and the rich. Dr. Carpenter was a man without an enemy notwithstanding that he was brought in daily contact in a semi-official way with the people and exercised freely his right of citizenship. In his position as physician at the Chapin mine he was ever ready to respond to the calls of families. His advice was sought and heeded by the families under his charge. He responded as readily to the call of the non-paying patients as to the call from the one whom he expected to receive no payment. [sic] His deeds of charity were like the sands of the sea. "God bless, [sic] Dr. Carpenter!" was the prayer that went forth from many an Iron Mountain home when news of his beautiful death was received. May he rest in the supreme peace his earthly labors have won for him. Again we say, "God bless Dr. Carpenter!" We, as a community loved Dr. Carpenter. Our full sympathy is with every member of the sorely afflicted family. God bless him for his godly deeds!

___________________________________________________________________

Civil War Service:

• Assistant Surgeon with the Army of Tennessee
• Co A 76 Ohio Inft / U S Medical Corps

"Michigan, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1876-1945," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24T-6Z4D : 7 January 2020), W T Carpenter, 30 Jun 1886; citing , Michigan State Archives, Lansing; FHL microfilm 927,047.

"Michigan, Civil War Centennial Observance Commission, Committee on Civil War Grave Registration, Burial Records," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W7LV-WD2M : 16 September 2019), W.t. Carpenter, ; citing Burial, Iron Mountain, Dickinson, Michigan, United States, Michigan Department of State. History Division, Lansing; FHL microfilm 008621328.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100062434/william-thomas-carpenter: accessed 16 February 2023), memorial page for Dr William Thomas Carpenter (5 Jun 1839–2 Mar 1911), Find a Grave Memorial ID 100062434, citing Iron Mountain Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, USA; Maintained by klh (contributor 47722765).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Page 15

Bibliographic information:

• Title University of Vermont Notes, Volumes 6-10
• Published 1909
• Original from the New York Public Library
• Digitized Nov 29, 2006
• https://books.google.com/books?id=7sUgAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&...

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LH6B-FBQ