Willis M. Carpenter

The 1887-1925 Calhoun County (Michigan) Marriage Register confirms the following:
[Record #] 2957
[Date of License] 30 November 1894
[Dates of Marriage] 30 November 1894
[Place of Marriage] Battle Creek, Michigan
[Groom] Willis M. Carpenter
[Groom's Age at Marriage] 26-years
[Groom's Birthplace] Michigan
[Groom's Father] S. A. Carpenter
[Groom's Mother] Alice E. Trimm
Side Note: Above reflects the spelling of Alice's Maiden Name as in the marriage record; records indicate the use of two spellings (Trim or Trimm) used by that family.
[Bride] Alice B. Smith
[Bride's Age at Marriage] 16-years
[Bride's Birthplace] Indiana
[Bride's Father] Reuben Smith
[Bride's Mother] Not Listed
Side Note 1: The record indicates for both Willis & Alice that they were not previously married.
Side Note 2: The marriage was officiated by REV H. A. Bazzell
Side Note 3: As indicated (above), the age difference between Willis & Alice was about 10-years (Willis being the senior). Should you review their age difference based on their birthyears as noted in their memorials (Willis 1867, Alice 1878), there is about 10 to 11 years difference between them (with Willis being the senior).
The 1951 Michigan State Death Index confirms the following:
[Name] Willis M Carpenter
[Birthdate] 5 October 1867
[Birthplace] Branch County, Michigan
[Father] Stephen Carpenter
[Mother] Alice Trimm
[Date of Death] 8 June 1951
[Place of Death] Reading, Hillsdale County, Michigan

The 1870 and 1880 US Federal Census records (both) for Girard, Branch County, Michigan confirms the household of Stephen A. and Alice E. Carpenter. The records confirm that they were married and identifies their children as Alma A. (1870 & 1880), Estella (1870), Orlo L (1870) Hope 1870 & 1880), Arthur J. (1870 & 1880) and "Willis M." (1870 & 1880).
Pertaining to Willis, both records confirm the following:
[Birthplace] Michigan
[Birthyear] The 1870 record indicates that Willis was 2-years old, the census is dated 6-June-1870 "prior" to his known/documented birthdate; the record reflects a correct age at the time and his 1867 birthyear. The 1880 record indicates that Willis was 12-years old, the census is dated 18-June-1880, again, "prior" to his known/documented birthdate; the record reflects a correct age at the time and his 1867 birthyear.
The 1900 US Federal Census record for Algansee, Branch County, Michigan confirms the household of Willis M and Alice Belle Carpenter (please note that the record indicates Alice with the middle name Belle). The record confirms that Willis and Alice were married, for both the census indicates that they were married for 5-years; this would target their year of marriage to 1895. However, the census is dated 22 June 1900 "prior" to their known date of marriage (above), so the record reflects the correct number of years married at the time, and confirms their year of marriage to 1894. The record indicates their son Earl L. Carpenter.
Pertaining to Willis, the record confirms the following:
[Birthplace] Michigan
[Birthdate] The 1900 census actually recorded the household members Birth Month and Birthyear, (Block-7) indicates "October 1868" (The record also indicated Alice off by 1-year as well, the record reflected her birthdate as February 1879......... only Earl appears correct, his information is indicated as April 1896).
Side Note: Pertaining to "Alice", the record confirms (Block-11) Number of Children and (Block-12) Number of Living Children, in both blocks "One" (1) is indicated, supporting that Earl was her son.
Additional census records can be referenced supporting Willis M. and Alice B. Carpenter, their lineage, birthplaces, and birthyears. These records pretty much repeat the same information above; sadly, based on the record data Earl (who appears to have died in WWI) was their only child (the last census he appeared with the family was in 1910).
Given the above record reference sources and the information within this memorial, the memorial of Alice (suggested wife), and their son Earl, I believe enough is furnished to support the suggested up-dates.

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