B. Platt Carpenter
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Platt Carpenter (May 14, 1837 Stanford
, Dutchess County, New York
– December 24, 1921 Chula Vista
, San Diego County, California
) was an American lawyer and politician from New York
and Montana
.
in 1857. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced in Poughkeepsie, New York. On November 24, 1860, he married Esther Thorn, and they had three children. He was District Attorney of Dutchess County from 1864 to 1869.
He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867-68. He was a delegate to the 1868
and 1884 Republican National Convention
s. He was member of the New York State Senate
(11th District) from 1876 to 1877. He was Judge of the Dutchess County Court from 1878 to 1882.
In 1882, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of New York
on the Republican ticket with Charles J. Folger
, but they were heavily defeated by Democrat Grover Cleveland
and David B. Hill
.
In December 1884, he was appointed by President Chester A. Arthur
Governor of the Montana Territory
, and on December 31, 1884, he left Poughkeepsie for Helena, Montana
. After a short tenure, he was removed from office by the new Democratic President, Grover Cleveland, but he stayed in Montana, and was a delegate to the Montana State Constitutional Convention
of 1889.
His brother Jacob B. Carpenter (1826-1894) was Mayor of Poughkeepsie in 1875.
Stanford, New York
Stanford is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 3,544 at the 2000 census.The Town of Stanford is in the north-central part of the county.-History:Stanford was first settled around 1750...
, Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
– December 24, 1921 Chula Vista
Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
, San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California
San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...
) was an American lawyer and politician from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
.
Life
He graduated from Union CollegeUnion College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1857. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced in Poughkeepsie, New York. On November 24, 1860, he married Esther Thorn, and they had three children. He was District Attorney of Dutchess County from 1864 to 1869.
He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867-68. He was a delegate to the 1868
1868 Republican National Convention
The 1868 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held in Crosby's Opera House, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on May 20 to May 21, 1868....
and 1884 Republican National Convention
1884 Republican National Convention
The 1884 Republican National Convention was a presidential nominating convention held at the Exposition Hall in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3–6, 1884. It resulted in the nomination of James G. Blaine and John A. Logan for President and Vice President of the United States. The ticket lost in the...
s. He was member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
(11th District) from 1876 to 1877. He was Judge of the Dutchess County Court from 1878 to 1882.
In 1882, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
on the Republican ticket with Charles J. Folger
Charles J. Folger
Charles James Folger was an American lawyer and politician. He was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1881 until his death.-Early life:...
, but they were heavily defeated by Democrat Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
and David B. Hill
David B. Hill
David Bennett Hill was an American politician from New York who was the 29th Governor of New York from 1885 to 1891.-Life:...
.
In December 1884, he was appointed by President Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
Governor of the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
, and on December 31, 1884, he left Poughkeepsie for Helena, Montana
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
. After a short tenure, he was removed from office by the new Democratic President, Grover Cleveland, but he stayed in Montana, and was a delegate to the Montana State Constitutional Convention
Montana Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Montana is the primary legal document providing for the self-governance of the U.S. State of Montana. It establishes and defines the powers of the three branches of the government of Montana, and the rights of its citizens...
of 1889.
His brother Jacob B. Carpenter (1826-1894) was Mayor of Poughkeepsie in 1875.
Sources
- Jacob B. Carpenter His brother's obit in NYT on April 10, 1894
- The Bockée Family (Boucquet) 1641-1897 by Martha Bockée Flint (page 93)
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/carpenter-carper.html Political Graveyard
- MONTANA TAKE WARNING; DON'T MAKE B. PLATT CARPENTER A SENATOR in NYT on December 4, 1889 (recalling the story of the 1882 New York state nominations)