Cynthia Belle Carpenter was the daughter of John Mason and Mary Adeline (Lewis) Carpenter. She was born in Landcaster, Kansas on January 29,1870. She is the third of six children born to John and Mary ; Arthur Clement (1853), Frank Clinton (1868), Cynthia Belle (1870), Carrie Bradbury (1872), John Burdette (1878), Albert Cotting (1880)

In the 1880 Federal Census, John, who was a physician, and his wife Mary are found in New Landcaster, Miami County Kansas. They have five of their six children living with them and William Lewis, Mary’s eighteen-year-old brother. In 1882, both of Cynthia’s parents died. She went to live with George Lewis, her Uncle. He was given guardianship of her in 1883 and in Kansas census of 1885, Belle is living with George and Mary Lewis. She remained with them until she married Thomas Crites on May 27, 1891 in Douglas, Kansas.

By the 1900 Federal Census, the Thomas Crites family was living in Russell, Kansas and they have three children. The children are; Aure B. (1893), Athena B. (1896), Castle (1898). By the 1910 Federal Census, they have added another son born in 1902 whose name is Albert. Thomas Crites lists is occupation as a President of a College. They live in Holton, Kansas. In the 1920 Federal Census, Thomas was now a Clergyman for a United Bretheran Church in Toledo City, Iowa. The oldest two children are no longer living at home but Castle, Albert and a six year old Russell are living with their parents.

Eighty eight years ago today, May 8, 1930, Cynthia Belle Carpenter Crites died in Kansas. She is buried with her husband Rev Thomas Crites who had died in 1923. They are buried in Summit Cemetery in Marion County, Kansas.

Rest in peace, Belle!

Love, Jan

Belle is the wife of my third cousin three times removed.