Dwight C. Purcell was born on a farm near Alma, Illinois. He was raised on a farm, and was a farmer all his life.

Carrie A. Broom was born in Oskaloosa, Illinois. Her family moved from Oskaloosa to Flora, Illinois when she was a small child, then to Alma, Illinois when she was nine. She worked in her father's general store, The Square Deal, with her sister Lavina and her brother Roy for five years before being married. Dwight's family traded at the store, which is how Dwight and Carrie met. Dwight sent Carrie a Valentine (1911?), and their first date was on Valentine's Day. Dwight made a sled out of a buggy by removing the wheels, and they went on a sleigh ride. They had several dates, and were engaged to be married in 1911. However, Dwight's pear crop froze that May, and the entire crop was ruined. The wedding had to be delayed, but they were finally married 24 October, 1912. They rented a farm, the Malott place, and bought all new furniture, which they got wholesale from Carrie's father. Dwight farmed, had orchards, and raised hogs, cattle, and horses. The first two years they were married were dry years, and the crops failed. Their first child, Atha, died just before her second birthday of stomach complaint. The third year was moist, and Dwight planted earlier than most, and had a very good crop. They later rented another farm, the Boles place. In 1949 Dwight bought his own farm west of Alma. In 1962 when Dwight's vision failed they sold the farm and moved into Alma, where he lived until 23 April, 1972, when he died of cancer. He is buried at the Alma Cemetery. Carrie lived there until about 1974, when she suffered a stroke. She lived at the Flora Nursing Home until her death . She is buried beside Dwight in the Alma Cemetery.

Most of the above recollections from a conversation Steve Doolen had with Carrie Purcell in 1977.