Elbert L. Carpenter was the President of the Minnesota Orchestral Association from 1905-1945 and along with first music director, Emil Oberhoffer, was responsible for the establishment and steady development of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra .
Carpenter spent his youth in Clinton, Iowa and early in his life developed a love of music. He became a successful lumberman in Minneapolis and it "was to him that everyone looked when stringent times in the world of work, trade and finance brought stringent times to the world of music. He never failed to respond with both financial support and ingenious plans for getting the Symphony through the storm of every depression." [Minneapolis Labor Review, 22 March 1945, page 8]
A thorough discussion of the development of the Orchestra and Carpenter's role can be found in John K. Sherman's 1952 book, Music and Maestros: The Story of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra .
From the guide to the Elbert L. Carpenter Collection, 1903-74, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Performing Arts Archives, Manuscripts Division [paa])
