FONTANELLE LOSES PIONEER

In the death of Ellen Griffen Carpenter which occurred on Saturday morning, August 16th, Fontanelle and vicinity mourns the loss of practically the last of her pioneer settlers.

Ellen Griffen was born at Quincy, Ill., on November 3, 1836, where she spent the early years of her life. In the fall of 1855 she came to Nebraska with the family of William Bell, crossing the state of Iowa in a lumber wagon. The Fontanelle colony having settled here the year previous, the party came direct to this place.

She was married to Harlow J. Carpenter on April 3, 1857. The couple immediately started their home in Fontanelle, where they endured many of the hardships of early pioneer life. Nine children were born to their union of which four survive their mother. The surviving children are Mrs. James S. Daffer, of Lebanon, Neb., Mrs. Ned Carpenter, of Pueblo, Colo., and Elmer R. and Earnest H. of Fontanelle.

Her declining years were spent with her son, Earnest and family where she was given all the tender care that human hands could bestow upon her, especially during the last five years of her life when she was in a very feeble way.

The funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Earnest H. Carpenter with Rev. G. M. Cauffer, of Arlington, officiating amid the participation of a large circle of relatives, friends and neighbors, after which the remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband and children at the old Fontanelle Cemetery south of town. The family has the sympathy of the entire community in their hour of bereavement.

# 2 - - Also published in the Enterprise August 22, 1913

MRS. HARLOW CARPENTER GONE

Announcement of the death of Mrs. Ellen Griffin Carpenter at the home of her son, Ernest, in Fontanelle, last Saturday morning, is received. Deceased was a pioneer, coming to Fontanelle in 1855 with the Wm. Bell family while yet in her teens and a few years later was married to Harlow J. Carpenter, for many years prior to his death ten years ago, prominent in all matter of material welfare to Washington County.

She raised a family of sturdy sons and daughters being a factor in Washington County public affairs for many years: Ernest, with whom she made her home after Charley’s death; and Elmer, of Fontanelle; Mrs. James Daffer, of Lebanon, Neb; and Mrs. Ned Carpenter, who resided in Pueblo, Colorado.