Reynolds Duane Carpenter, grain dealer, stockman and one of the prominent farmers of Lyon county, was born at Bennington, Vt., in 1863, the son of David and Abigail M. (Boardman) Carpenter. His father was one of those thrifty New England farmers who by industry and diligence wrung a steady income from the rocky acres of his land. He was a miller by trade and followed that vocation in connection with his farming, until his death, in 1896. Mrs. Carpenter was the daughter of George Boardman, one of the pioneer millers of Vermont. She died in that state. There were seven children in the Carpenter family—George D., Reynolds D., Clarence, deceased, Harry B., Arthur S., Florence Sarah, deceased, and Caroline.

Reynolds D. Carpenter was reared on his father's farm and received the educational advantages afforded in the country. When a boy of only nineteen years, he determined to go West and make his way in the world. He came to Kansas in 1882 and located in Lyon county, where he engaged in farming. From time to time he has added to his original farm until he now owns about 2,000 acres of the finest agricultural land in Lyon county. Some years ago Mr. Carpenter became interested in stock raising. He now buys and sells cattle and also runs a grain elevator. He has accumulated a comfortable fortune and is regarded as one of the most prosperous men in Lyon county.

All his life Mr. Carpenter has been an adherent of the Republican party. He has been active in local politics, and in 1909 was elected to the state house of representatives, where he was chosen chairman of the committee on house rules—one of the most important in the legislature—and also served on the insurance and taxation committees. He is popular among his constituents and has many warm friends. In 1905 Mr. Carpenter married Mrs. Anna R. Gardner, daughter of J. H. Rays, a well-to-do farmer of Lyon county. One child has been born to this union—Reynolds Duane, Jr.