Orrin Otis Carpenter Jr was born in La Grange Illinois, on October 9th, 1921. He was born to Orrin Otis Carpenter (July 28th, 1888- October 28th, 1973) and Ruth Frances Moses Carpenter (around 1890-1963).His parents were engaged in December1911 and married in Chicago, Illinois on April 27th, 1912.
According to his WWI Draft Card Registration, his father was born in Port Huron, Michigan. He was a tall, medium build Caucasian with light hair and blue eyes. Though registered, Carpenter Sr. was exempted from being drafted due to him being the primary caregiver of his wife and children.Orrin Carpenter Sr.’s education level is conflicting, with some censuses specifying he completed four years of college and others leaving completed college years unspecified. Carpenter Sr. was able to read and write.In the 1920 census, Orrin Carpenter Sr’s occupation was listed a general contractor.
His mother, Ruth was born around 1890 in Lyons, Illinois, to Charles A. Moses and Emma Moses. Ruth was a housewife throughout her marriage to Orrin Otis Carpenter Sr. Mrs. Carpenter completed two years of college.
Orrin and Ruth first established a home in Chicago, Illinois. The family had two children: Ruth Dorothy Carpenter (August 9th, 1915- March 27th, 2008) and Orrin Otis Carpenter Jr.The family started out at boarders of a Chicago Ward on Bellevue Place, Chicago, IL.By the 1930s, the family had started renting out a home at 336 S. Catherine Ave.The family moved to Biloxi, MS, in 1933. When Orrin Carpenter Jr. was connected with a New Orleans building concern in 1942, the family relocated New Orleans. By 1944, the family moved back to Biloxi. Orrin Carpenter Sr. remained as a general contractor throughout his marriage, but he owned a business by 1940.
Orrin O. Carpenter Jr. and his family lived in Lyons Township, Illinois, on 336 S. Catherine Avenue, as of the 1930 census. In 1933, the family relocated to West Beach, Biloxi, Mississippi.
Sibling
Ruth Dorothy Carpenter (August 9th, 1915-March 27th, 2008) was born in Chicago, Illinois. Ruth completed two years of high school and continued to the junior college of Gulf Park College in Long Beach, MS. She graduated on May 28th, 1935. At Gulf Park College, Ruth was a part of Delta Alpha Sigma, Coast Club and Bit and Spur Club.
Ruth resided in Biloxi, Mississippi, as the Red Cross secretary. In 1939, Ruth moved to Laurel, Mississippi, after accepting the position of executive secretary at the American Red Cross in Meridian, Mississippi. Around August 1940, Ruth suffered a car accident in Laurel, MS. Ruth’s car was overturned on Highway 11, near Petal, MS. The extent of her injuries is undocumented, but Ruth was left on bedrest for several weeks.
Ruth was married to Sgt. John Galvin Jr. on Saturday, January 3rd, 1941, at the Church of the Redeemer in Biloxi, MS. The two met when Galvin was stationed at Camp Shelby with the 136 Field Artillery. Orrin Carpenter Jr. served as the best man.
Ruth remarried to Weldon Hugh Hunter (June 29th, 1916-August 21st, 1993) in Desoto County, MS, on July 24th, 1948. They had a daughter, Sally Hunter, in December of 1951. They resided in Memphis, TN, as of 1954. Ruth returned to Mississippi and resided in Saucier until her death on March 27th, 2008.