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SAMUEL CARPENTER, farmer, post office, Sherman, was born in Fancy Creek, Sangamon county, on the 12th day of November, 1824, son of William and Margaret Carpenter, who emigrated to the county in 1819. The subject of this sketch married Miss Ellen M. J. Kerns, daughter of Abner and Sarah A. Kerns, of Ohio, where she was born April 1, 1827. She died March 16, 1853. He again married Martha J. Black, daughter of Rev. Daniel and Diana Short, of Ohio. She was born September 25, 1831. She died July 17, 1873, leaving a family of six children, viz: Annie S., now Mrs. F. P. Dunlap, born October 3, 1859; William D., born November 27, 1867; Carrie E., now the wife of James H. Reynolds, born October 10, 1863; Martha J., born February 25, 1866; Lena L., born October 23, 1870; Mary M., born August 2, 1868. His present wife is Mary E. H. Meriweather, a widow of E. L. M. Johnson, by whom there was one child, Jennie H., born February 22, 1867. She died May 6, 1873. Mrs. C. was born in Springfield, Ohio, November 15, 1835, daughter of J. H. and Elizabeth J. (Hummel) Meriweather, who emigrated to Sangamon in 1838, where he embarked in general merchandising. He died October 15, 1863; mother died August 18, 1868.