- MATTHEW HALE CARPENTER, a famous lawyer, orator and senator,
was born in Moretown,
- Vermont, December 22, 1824. After receiving a common-school
education he entered the United States Military Academy at West
Point, but only remained two years. On returning to his home
he commenced the study of law with Paul Dillingham, afterwards
governor ofVermont, and whose daughter he married. In 1847 he
was admitted to practice at the bar in Vermont, but he went to
Boston and for a time studied with Rufus Choate. In 1848 he moved
west, settling at Beloit, Wisconsin, and commencing the practice
of his profession soon obtained a wide reputation for ability.
In 1856 Mr. CARPENTER removed to Milwaukee, where he found a
wider field for his now increasing powers. During the Civil war,
although a strong Democrat, he was loyal to the government and
aided the Union cause to his utmost. In 1868 he was counsel for
the government in a test case to settle the legality of the reconstruction
act before the United States supreme court, and won his case
against Jeremiah S. Black. This gave him the election for senator
from Wisconsin in 1869, and he served until 1875, during part
of which time he was president pro tempore of the senate.
Failing of a re-election Mr. CARPENTER resumed the practice of
law, and when William W, Belknap, late secretary of war, was
impeached, entered the case for General Belknap, and secured
an acquittal. During the sitting of the electoral commission
of 1877, Mr. CARPENTER appeared for Samuei J. Tilden, although
the Republican managers had intended to have him represent R.
B. Hayes. Mr. CARPENTER was elected to the United States senate
again in 1879, and remained a member of that body until the day
of his death, which occurred at Washington, District of Columbia,
February 24, 1881.
- Senator Carpenter's real name was Decatur Merritt Hammond
CARPENTER but about 1852
- he changed it to the one by which he was universally known.
- [Taken from "Biographical Memoirs of Gratiot County,
Michigan" (c)1906 J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago; p. 178]
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