by Charles W. Bowman

Biographies

ALLEN K. CARPENTER

   Mr. Carpenter came to Colorado in August, 1872, and for a few months engaged in mining. Returning from the mountains, he located in the old town of Las Animas, Bent Co. During the winter of 1872-73, he fitted out a hunting expedition, in company with G.J. DaLee, and hunted buffalo for two and a half months, principally for their hides. They killed 500 during this time. The hides were shipped East from Sargent, Kan., which was the terminus of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad at that time. From the spring of 1873 until the winter of 1874, Mr. Carpenter was engaged in the carpenter-shop of the Quartermaster's Department at Fort Lyon, when he removed to West Las Animas, where he now resides. Since moving to his present residence, he has been engaged in the hotel business. For a number of years, he kept "Carpenter's Hotel," the only one in the place, having purchased it in April, 1877. In the fall of 1876, Mr. Carpenter was appointed Coroner for Bent County, to fill an unexpired term of R.D. Reedy. In the fall of 1877, he was elected to fill the office for two years, and again in 1879. Mr. Carpenter was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1845. His parents removed to Fulton County, same State, when he was quite young. For two years, he attended the Normal School in Millersville, Lancaster Co., Penn., from which he graduated. He taught for four years in his native State, and one term in the State of Missouri. In 1870 and 1871, Mr. Carpenter was engaged at Independence, Kan., in contracting and building, and buying and selling real estate. In 1876, he attended the Centennial Exhibition, and, while absent, married Miss L.J. Akers, of Akersville, Fulton Co., Penn.