Lewis C. Carpenter

Who was Lewis C. Carpenter?

Lewis Cass Carpenter was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.

Born in Putnam, Connecticut, Carpenter attended public schools before moving to New Jersey, where he taught school. He was appointed State inspector of public schools in New Jersey in 1863. At an early age he began writing for the press, and was connected with some New York papers for several years. He went to Washington, D.C., in 1864 and was employed in the Treasury Department. He studied law at Columbian University, and after graduating he was admitted to the bar. While in Washington he was also employed as a newspaper correspondent. He moved to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1867 and became editor of the Charleston Courier after which he assisted in establishing the Charleston Republican in 1868. He also was secretary to United States Senator William H. Buckingham, of Connecticut from 1868 to 1873.

Carpenter was elected as a Republican to the Forty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert B. Elliott and served from November 3, 1874, to March 4, 1875. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Forty-fifth Congress.