Matthew H. Carpenter Matthew Hale Carpenter, born Decatur Merritt Hammond Carpenter, (December 22, 1824 - February 24, 1881) was a member of the Republican Party who served in the United States Senate for the state of Wisconsin from 1869 - 1875 and again from 1879 - 1881. Carpenter was born in Moretown, Vermont. He served as District Attorney of Rock County, Wisconsin, from 1850 - 1854. He was originally a member of the Democratic Party until the start of the Civil War. While in the United States Senate, he served as the President pro tempore during the 43rd Congress.Carpenter died in Washington, D.C.,while in office and was buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
