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Submitted: 8/19/08 • Approved: 8/19/08 • Last Updated: 4/3/18 • R14115-G0-S3
John Palmer Carpenter
b. 18 October 1867 d. 4 March 1954
“John P. Carpenter, present solicitor for the municipality of Sunbury, and formerly justice of the peace of that borough, is an attorney who has risen steadily in his profession since he commenced practice, in 1893. He has been a hard worker, zealous in the discharge of his public duties and successful in the conduct of his private cases. Mr. Carpenter is a native of Snyder county, Pa., born Oct. 18, 1867, at Beavertown, son of Alvin M. Carpenter and grandson of Giles Carpenter.
...John P. Carpenter received his early education in the public school, later attending the State normal school at Bloomsburg and Susquehanna University, at Selinsgrove, from which latter institution he was graduated in the class of 1891. During the next two years he taught school in Rockefeller township, Northumberland county, meanwhile reading law in the office of C. B. Witmer. In fact, he gained most of his advanced education while supporting himself by teaching, having taught a number of terms before his graduation from the university, two in Lower Mahanoy township, this county. In 1893 he was admitted to practice before the Northumberland county bar, and he is now qualified to practice before the Supreme court (to which he was admitted in 1898), the Superior court (since 1909) and the Superior and Circuit courts of the United States. His public honors came to him unusually early in his practice. In 1899 he became justice of the peace for the borough of Sunbury, continuing to hold that office for two successive terms, until 1909, and he is the present solicitor for the borough of Sunbury, having held that position since 1907; in March, 1911, he was reelected to succeed himself for another term for three years. In that capacity he defended the borough in the case of Cake verses the borough of Sunbury, in which a new principle of law was involved, and had the case decided in favor of the borough. His professional work is above reproach, and his patronage comes from a substantial class of clients, whose confidence is a gratifying recognition of ability.
From young manhood Mr. Carpenter has been an active member of the Republican party, in whose councils he is quite influential. He was a delegate to the district convention that nominated Dr. E. W. Samuel, of Mount Carmel, for Congress.
In 1894 Mr. Carpenter married Hannah Minerva Witmer, daughter of Isaac L. Witmer, of Lower Mahanoy township, and they have two children, Anna Ellen and Alvin Witmer. The family are active in church work in affiliation with Zion’s Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Carpenter holds membership; he has been a member of the church choir since 1891. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 167, B. P. O. Elks, of Sunbury and Col. James Cameron Camp, Sons of Veterans also of Sunbury. “
Source: Genealogical and Biographical Annuals of Northumberland County Pennsylvania, by J. L. Floyd. Published: Chicago J. L. Floyd & Co 1911; reprinted by Windmill Publications, Inc 1995, by Northumberland County Historical Society, Sunbury, PA: pgs. 568, 569
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY...pgs. 388
“John Palmer Carpenter, father of Alvin Witmer, was born at Beavertown, Snyder County, October 18, 1867, a son of Alvin McClintic Carpenter. His father who died in 1928, was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in the Union Army during the period of this conflict.
John Palmer Carpenter attended the public schools of Beavertown, and subsequently Susquehanna University, from which he was graduated in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He later returned to this institution for further studies, and in 1900 received the degree of Master of Arts.
He had in the meantime attended normal school, and engaged in teaching. During this period, John Palmer Carpenter also studied law in the office of Judge C. B. Witmer, being admitted to the bar of Northumberland County in 1894. He then inaugurated his lifelong practice of the law in Sunbury.
During his career, John Palmer Carpenter appeared in every Pennsylvania court, and in the United States District Courts and the Circuit Court of Appeals. Many important cases were entrusted to his care, and he was recognized as one of the ablest members of his profession.
In addition to his private practice, he was solicitor for Sunbury Borough for fifteen years, and also solicitor for Snydertown Borough and Upper Augusta Township. He has been a trustee of Susquehanna University since the beginning of the century, and has been counsel and director of many organizations.
He is a Republican in politics, and affiliated with the Sunbury Lodge No. 22, Free and Accepted Masons and the Sunbury Commandery of the Knights Templar. Professional, he is a member of the Northumberland County Bar Association. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans, and is a communicant of the Zion Lutheran Church of Sunbury.
John Palmer Carpenter married Hannah Minerva Witmer, sister of the late Charles B. Witmer, a judge of the federal courts. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter became the parents of two children: 1. Anna Ellen, who became Mrs. Anna Ellen Davis and is now deceased and 2. Alvin Witmer.”
Family Plot Location: N 40º 52.127 W 076º 46.716
Photo taken: May 2008
Contributed on 8/19/08 by stonyacres3
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Record #: 14115