Arthur P. Carpenter | |
|---|---|
.jpg) From Volume III of 1904's Memoirs of the Judiciary and the Bar of New England of the Nineteenth Century | |
| United States Marshal for the District of Vermont | |
| In office February 14, 1914 – June 1, 1922 | |
| Preceded by | Horace W. Bailey |
| Succeeded by | Albert W. Harvey |
| Judge of the Brattleboro, Vermont Municipal Court | |
| In office 1923–1929 | |
| Preceded by | Frank D. E. Stowe |
| Succeeded by | Orrin B. Hughes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 30, 1867 Readsboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | October 22, 1937 (aged 70) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arms Cemetery, Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Addie Laura Boynton (m. 1897-1937, his death) |
| Education | Castleton Normal School Boston University |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Arthur P. Carpenter (March 30, 1867 – October 22, 1937) was an American attorney and government official from Vermont. A Democrat, among the offices in which he served was United States Marshal for the District of Vermont (1914-1922) and judge of the Brattleboro, Vermont municipal court (1923-1929).
Arthur Perry Carpenter was born in Readsboro, Vermont on March 30, 1867, the son of Solomon R. and Laura M. (née Bishop) Carpenter.[1] He was raised on his father's farm in Readsboro and attended the public schools.[1] In 1887, Carpenter graduated from Castleton Normal School, after which he taught school at several locations in the Readsboro area.[1] He attended a commercial course at Rochester Business University of Rochester, New York, from which he graduated in 1890.[1]
While working as a bookkeeper, Carpenter studied law with attorney Stephen T. Davenport of Brattleboro, Vermont.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1896, and began a practice in North Adams, Massachusetts in partnership with Cornelius A. Parker.[1] He received his LL.B. degree from Boston University School of Law in 1897.[1] One of Carpenter's law school classmates was David I. Walsh, with whom he remained friendly after their graduation.[2]
Carpenter and Parker practiced together until 1900, when they dissolved their partnership.[1] Carpenter continued to practice in North Adams, and later opened a branch office in Readsboro.[1]
As a resident of Whitingham, Vermont, Carpenter served in local offices including school board member.[1] He served on the board of directors of the Berkshire County Cooperative Bank and was secretary of the Hoosac Valley Agricultural Society.[1] Carpenter was a member of the Masonic lodge in Jacksonville, Vermont and the Royal Arcanum’s Berkshire Council.[1]
In 1904, Carpenter sold his law practice and planned to move to Michigan.[3] He worked briefly as counsel for a corporation in Detroit before moving to Brattleboro, where he continued to practice law.[3][4] A Democrat during an era when Republicans controlled Vermont's government, Carpenter was an unsuccessful candidate for several offices in Windham County, including state's attorney.[5] In addition, he served for several years as chairman of the party in Brattleboro.[6]
Despite his party affiliation, for several years Carpenter served as Brattleboro's town agent and town attorney and a justice of the peace.[2][7] After becoming a resident of Brattleboro, Carpenter was active in the town's Order of Royal and Select Masters commandery and Knights Templar preceptory.[7]
In February 1914, Carpenter was appointed U.S. Marshal for Vermont, succeeding Horace W. Bailey, who had died in January.[8] He served until June 1922 and was succeeded by Albert W. Harvey.[9] As marshal, one of Carpenter's first acts was to reappoint Frank H. Chapman as chief deputy marshal.[10] Chapman had served as chief deputy since 1901 and had held the post under Carpenter's two immediate predecessors.[10] He continued to serve until retiring in 1923.[11]
During World War I, Carpenter was involved in arrests of suspected German agents and sympathizers.[12] In addition, he enforced anti-immigration laws against individuals attempting to illegally cross the Canadian border.[13] Carpenter also arrested US service members who committed crimes in Vermont or were reported as absent without leave or having deserted.[14] After passage of the Eighteenth Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol, Carpenter arrested several individuals for selling hard cider and other alcoholic beverages.[15]
After his tenure as marshal ended, Carpenter resumed practicing law.[16] In 1923 he was appointed judge of Brattleboro's municipal court, succeeding Frank D. E. Stowe.[17] He was reappointed to successive two year terms and served until 1929, when he was succeeded by Orrin B. Hughes.[18] In 1936 he was a delegate to the Vermont Democratic Party's state convention.[19]
Carpenter died in Boston on October 22, 1937.[20] He received Masonic funeral rites at a memorial service in Brattleboro.[21] Carpenter was buried at Arms Cemetery in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.[21]
In 1897, Carpenter married Addie Laura Boynton (1875-1959).[1][22] They were married until his death, and had no children.[22]