David Allen Carpenter

David Allen Carpenter was the grandfather of Howard Jacobs. Much of what I know of David is
through the generous assistance of Sara Nuernberger, a relative through the Carpenters.

David Carpenter was born November 30, 1857 in Audubon, Iowa. Reuben Carpenter, his father, was one of the early settlers of Audubon. His mother was Martha Carpenter, and he was the seventh of nine children. In the 1860 and 1870 census for Audubon he is documented with his family. His mother Martha died when David was 16 years old, and his father died just a few years later when he was 19.

David with his grandchildren Ruth and Howard.

In 1884 he married Alice Browning. They had two daughters: Alma Grace, 1885; Ruth B, 1892. We see in the 1900 census that he is recorded with his wife and daughters and was working as a harness maker.

Sometime around the year 1902, David Carpenter's family moved from Audubon, Iowa to Spokane Washington. David Carpenter appears in the 1910 census now living Spokane, Washington. He was living with his his wife Alice, as well as their daughter Grace, her husband Julius Jacobs Jr., and their daughter Ruth. David is now working as a baggage master at the Great Northern railway station in Spkane. Ruth Carpenter does not appear, but there is a grave for a Ruth Carpenter in a cemetery in Audubon, Iowa.

On March 2, 1927, David died at his home in Spokane due to complications from influenza. This must surely have been a difficult year for his family, as his son-in-law Julius Jacobs Jr. passed away later that same year.

The bit of lore that has come down to me has always been tinged with a bit of mystery. The exact reasons for their move or what happened to Ruth Carpenter were not spoken of. Some attribute their reluctance to speak of these things to some sort of scandal or family squabble. Others I have spoken to think it is simply a desire not to dwell on past hardship.

The name "Allen" or "Allan" has become almost a family tradition. Starting with my Grandfather Howard Allen Jacobs, and continuing with his son Howard Allan Jacobs II, it has passed on to my brother, Jeremiah Allan Jacobs as well. So in some small way the legacy of David Allen Carpenter continues.