Not sure if they are related but one of my gg-aunts Mary A. "Minnie"
Drake who lived in
Audubon Co married Robert M. Carpenter, Postmaster at
Audubon,
Iowa, born in
Poweshiek County, near
Grinnell,
Iowa, January 29, 1854; he is the fifth of nine children of R. C. and Mahalah (
Thurman)
Carpenter. The father is a native of
Kentucky, who in early life removed to
Ohio, where he was married, and resided for a number of years; he is still living and is a resident of
Audubon County, Iowa; the mother was a native of
Ohio, and was a daughter of
Levi Thurman.Robert M. Carpenter passed his boyhood in his native county, attending the district school, and working on the farm in the summer time. He attended
Iowa College at
Grinnell, and afterward Oskaloosa, remaining in the latter school two years. He began his career as a teacher, and followed this profession for nine years. In 1878 he removed to
Audubon County,
Iowa, and in the following year was elected superintendent of the
Audubon County schools, which office he held for two terms, being elected on the Democratic ticket. In January, 1884, he became editor and proprietor of the
Audubon County Advocate; he continued in this business until January 25, 1887, when he sold out the paper. October 27, 1887, he was appointed postmaster of
Audubon, the appointment, being confirmed November 8, 1887; he assumed the duties of this office January 25, 1888, and is an efficient, accommodating officer. December 13, 1879, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Minnie A., daughter of
Freeman Drake, of
Audubon County,
Iowa. Mrs. Carpenter was born in the State of Minnesota; they are the parents of two sons Maurice M. and
Carroll C. {Minnie's father was also known an
Firman Drake}. I recently found this information no the
Iowa GenWeb site for
Audubon Co; the source is 1889 Biographical History of
Shelby &
Audubon Co IA. If you come across any other information about the Robert
Carpenter descendants, please let me know.