230 Park Ave - David Carpenter Home

David Carpenter purchased the lot in 1890 for $650, and built this Queen Anne style house in about 1891. The house is especially well designed for this corner property. The north gable end contains an unusual bay and all gables have imbricated shingle wall surfaces with sunburst motif. Under the roof line is a cornice with a modillion. The Eastlake style porch is pedimented, and the delicate frieze running along its top is reminiscent of most of the original porches in the neighborhood. A projecting bay dominates and accentuates the northwest corner of the house.

David Carpenter first appeared in Franklin living in a boarding house and working as a dry goods salesman, probably at the village’s Thirkield’s Department Store. In 1861, he was part of Company F, 1st Ohio Infantry, that participated in the battle of First Bull Run. In 1870, he and his son were living at his employer, John L. Thirkield’s, house. Sometime thereafter he improved his prospects by marrying Jane Thirkield, his landlord and boss’s daughter. David died in 1895. The 1900 census shows Jane, her sister Mina, and Jane’s daughter, Nannie, living here. Nan’s occupation is listed as school teacher. In 1910, Jane, her sister, daughter Nan, and two grandchildren, were living here. Nan Carpenter lived here until her death in 1959. The home has been recently remodeled.