09/04/2026
Longtime Hagar Township farmer and Coloma store owner William Arthur “Art” Carpenter was born in Ripley, Ohio, in 1849. His father, Benjamin, brought the family to settle in Hagar Township. William farmed his father’s land in Hagar Township for many years before going into the mercantile business. After engaging in farming, he was able to supply goods in demand by the local residents. He also saw the opportunities for growth in Coloma.
William Carpenter conducted a fruit tree business and livery business in the 1890s in Coloma. William was also appointed deputy sheriff in 1891.
In 1902, John Kibler and Walter Pitcher constructed the building in Coloma that is now home to the Enchanted Bead. Whether William A. Carpenter bought the building or it was built for him is lost to time. He and a son opened a dry goods store, calling it Carpenter & Son Dry Goods.
Even though the awning advertised “Dry Goods,” the store sold groceries, with a soda fountain and drug store also in the building. The firm most likely sold garden, orchard, and other supplies. It is unknown which of his sons were in business with him. The most likely son is William Henry, who in 1910 was registered as a salesman for retail groceries.
William A. Carpenter & Son was a thriving concern for 18 years in Coloma. William A. Carpenter retired around 1925. He and his wife Betsey moved to Watervliet at that time and established a pleasant home on the banks of Paw Paw Lake, just north of the city on M-140 (1934 route). The couple were the parents of 13 children by Betsey’s count. Their sons Burril and Adlae (in some cases spelled Addelie) and daughter Grace relocated to the Los Angeles area. The couple always celebrated their anniversary with a family gathering at their home on Paw Paw Lake.
The Carpenters celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary prior to Betsey passing in 1937 in her 87th year. William A. passed away in 1940 in his 91st year. Both are buried in Coloma Cemetery.
