Two Obituaries of
Milton Carpenter
1807-1848
*Contributed by Shaunee Power. Thanks, Shaunee!

From: Illinois State Register, Friday, August 15, 1848, Springfield, Illinois.

It becomes our painful duty to announce the decease, at his residence in this city, on Sunday morning last, of the Hon. Milton Carpenter, Treasurer of this state, after an illness of three weeks.

 
In giving to the family and immediate friends of deceased, assurance of the deep sympathy which their bereavement has awakened in this community, we but utter a sentiment which will be responded to throughout the state and wherever he is known.
 
Mr. Carpenter was a native of the state of Kentucky, but removed with his parents, to this state, at an early age.  From his youth, he was distinguished for great energy of character, purity of morals, an inbred love of truth, and an invincible honesty-qualities which secured him the entire confidence of all and prepared the way for the distinction which he attained and the responsible trusts which he has discharged.  In this respect, we could wish that the influence of his example might be shed upon the pathway of all the young men of Illinois to lead them on to a life of usefulness and honor.
 
His first public services were rendered in the field, he having at an early age volunteered with a gallant company from the county of Hamilton, to defend our infant-frontiers from the ravages of Black Hawk and his followers.  Though the campaign afforded little opportunity of military distinction, its incidents fully developed the generous and manly traits of his character, and
endeared him to his companions to such a degree, that he was by all recognized as a true friend, a brave soldier, a just arbiter of their disputes, whose decision was the end of controversy.  So strong had this feeling become, that on returning to Hamilton county, he became the object of
popular confidence and favor-was returned to the legislature by a decisive majority over a strong and tried politician.  Thus introduced to civil life; he continued to win the love of the people-his influence and solid fame extended, and to the hour of his death, knew no abatement.
 
After having served his county several years as a member of the General Assembly, he was, at the session of 1841-42, elected Treasurer of state, which office he filled to the day of his death, having been three times elected by the legislature, and elected by the people without opposition at the recent election under the new constitution.  When we consider that the principle of rotation in office is so rigidly applied in this state, and the number of worthy aspirants for each responsible office is great, the continuation of Mr. Carpenter in office for so long a period, shows that he had a most powerful hold upon the public confidence.  While receiving and
disbursing three or four hundred thousand dollars annually, the people felt perfectly sure, that every dollar would be safely kept and honestly accounted for.  "They knew him to be cautious, prudent and close in all his business transactions, and that he managed the financial affairs of the state, with the same scrupulous and rigid economy that characterized the management of
his private business.  He was not only a faithful officer but he was always faithful, and of untiring vigilance: he was not only honest, but "Firm in his will-true to his trust-insensible to ill, and obstinately just!" and it has been fortunate for the state-more fortunate than the people can
ever appreciate, or any but his most intimate associates know, that during the time of her financial difficulties, when all was embarrassment, confusion and fathomless uncertainty, just such a man, of perverse honesty, and unyielding firmness, was called to preside over her treasury, and gather up the fragments of her ruined credit.
 
Mr. Carpenter was emphatically a man of the people;  having, with but few advantages, without the aid of fortune or a polished education, made his way among his fellow citizens to honor and distinction, without exciting the envy of those around him; for all acknowledged the pre-eminence of his character, and saw him attired only in those homely principles of action taught in the sacred injunction-"whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even
so to them!"-principles which prevail so strongly and shine as brightly, in the humble, as in the more elevated walks of life.  An ever prevailing sense of religious and moral obligation was the great rule and guide of his conduct.  And he acquitted himself well.  He has left us, in the prime of life, but of a life well spent, and with a name that will remain a rich legacy to his children.
 
Mr. Carpenter was in his fortieth year at the time of his decease.  He leaves an aged father and mother to mourn the loss of their only child, and a wife and nine children overwhelmed in sorrow by their irreparable loss.  His funeral was attended on Monday by the officers of the state and citizens, the arrangement and attendance evincing the profound respect felt for his memory.

From: Illinois Weekly Journal, August 16, 1848. (Item under column date August 14)

Death of the Hon. Milton Carpenter

   "We have the unpleasant duty of announcing the death of the Hon. Milton Carpenter, Treasurer of this State.
   He died in this city on yesterday morning at 9 o'clock.  He had been sick several weeks of fever, and which changed to a fatal type.
   Mr. Carpenter was for many years a Representative in the Legislature, and for a long period State Treasurer.  In his public life, he has been singularly fortunate in securing the good opinion of all.  He was a man of unblemished morals.  We do not believe he had an enemy.  He had just been re-elected, without opposition, Treasurer of the State.
   He has left a widow and several children to lament his death and who are regarded with sympathy by this community.
   His funeral took place this morning at 10 o'clock, and the obsequies were arranged and performed in a manner which exhibited the high respect of our citizens for the Christian and moral worth of the deceased."


Back to Hamilton CountyBack to Obituaries