JOHN WESLEY CARPENTER was born on April 8, 1854 in Crawford County, Indiana, and died on May 9, 1924 near Munden, Republic County, Kansas. He was the son of JOHN ANDREW CARPENTER (1819-1889) and his wife MAHALA NEAL (1829-1899). John married MELISSA SAMPSON on July 3, 1876 in Polk County, Iowa, the daughter of AQUILLA WILEY SAMPSON (1824-1898) and his wife ELIZA ANN LEAK (1824-1873). Melissa was born on February 19, 1857 in Adelphia, Polk County, Iowa, and died on October 31, 1932 in Republic County, Kansas.

Children of JOHN WESLEY CARPENTER and MELISSA SAMPSON are:

i. ADA CORA CARPENTER, b. March 3, 1878, Mitchellville, Polk County, Iowa; d. July 14, 1941, Narka, Republic County, Kansas.
ii. WILLIAM ARI CARPENTER, b. August 23, 1881, near Verden, Richardson County, Nebraska; d. October 21, 1954, Concordia, Cloud County, Kansas.
iii. BERTON WESLEY CARPENTER, b. August 9, 1883, near Oketo, Marshall County, Kansas; d. November 21, 1957, Belleville, Republic County, Kansas.
iv. JESSE JAMES CARPENTER, b. December 8, 1885, Summerfield, Marshall County, Kansas; d. December 1, 1952, Superior, Nuckolls County, Nebraska.
v. DOLLIE ORCELLA CARPENTER, b. January 31, 1888, Marshall County, Kansas; d. September 20, 1907,
Republic County, Kansas.
vi. ESTA MAY CARPENTER, b. May 6, 1890, Summerfield, Marshall County, Kansas; d. August 29, 1973, Hubbell, Thayer County, Nebraska.
vii. RENA ELIZABETH CARPENTER, b. November 4, 1892, near Mina, Marshall County, Kansas; d. January 29, 1954, Chester, Thayer County, Nebraska.
viii. HARLEY WASHINGTON CARPENTER, b. April 4, 1895, near Summerfield, Marshall County, Kansas; d. March 18, 1951, Belleville, Republic County, Kansas.
ix. HARRIETTE MELISSA CARPENTER, b. February 12, 1898, near Mina, Marshall County, Kansas; d. July 31, 1977, Belleville, Republic County, Kansas.

- - - -

John Wesley Carpenter was born in Johnson county (sic), Indiana, April 8, 1954, moved to Marion county (sic), Iowa, with his parents in 1856. He was married to Melissa Sampson, July 9, 1876. He came ot (sic) Nebraska in 1879 and moved to Marshall county (sic), Kansas in 1882, then moved to Republic county (sic), Kansas in [D]ecember (sic), 1900, where he lived until his death, May 9, 1914, aged 70 years, 1 month and 1 day. Nine children were born to this union. The children are as follows: William A. and Bert W., of Superior, Mrs. Esta Masten, of Hubbell Mrs. Rena Jenkins, of Chester, Ada, Harley and Harriett at home. Dollie having preceded him in death September 20, 1907. A wife, 8 children, 4 grand-children and 4 brothers and 3 sisters survive him. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Simpson at the Ida church at 2 o'clock and interment was made in the Ida cemetery (sic).

The Belleville Telescope (Belleville, KS), Thursday, May 15, 1924; pg. 8.

A special thank you to Peggy Bargen Duey #46873059 for kindly transcribing the obituary.