Harley Deforest Carpenter

Harley DeForest Carpenter, 76, a pioneer in providing electricity in rural areas, died at his home, early Friday, July 1, 1960.

He was a member and past president of the Meadville Rotary Club; he was also a member of the Masonic Lodge 234, Meadville, the Erie Consistory, the Lodge of Perfection in Oil City, the Young Men's Christian Assn., the Meadville County Club, the Iroquois Boating and Fishing Club, the Round Table and the Sons of the American Revolution.  He was also a member of Stone United Methodist Church.

In the business world, he was known for developing electric utilities in the rural areas long before large companies were interested in this service.  This began in 1912, in the Conneaut Lake area.  He ran the electric shop, Carpenter Light & Power Co., of which he was the sole owner.  The company served four boroughs and ten townships.

Carpenter was born April 25, 1884, in Blooming Valley, the son of LaMartine and Mary A. Davis Carpenter.

He was graduated from Meadville High School and attended Allegheny College, where his affiliation with Delta Tau Delta began.

He is survived by his widow, the former Mabelle V. Waibel and three sons, Harley Jr., Paul and John, all of Erie.  There are three grandchildren, also.  Mr. Carpenter is also survived by a brother, Albert William (Jack) Carpenter of Meadville.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.