John A. Pennington

PENNINGTON, ROBINSON, MICHAELS, JACKSON

Posted By: Alice Daniels (email)
Date: 9/21/2013 at 05:36:51

Centerville Citizen
February 6, 1895

From Wednesday's Daily.
OLD SETTLER PASSES AWAY.
Death of John A. Pennington—A Brief
Summary of his Career.

Word was received in Centerville this morning of the death of John A. Pennington at the home of his daughter in Lincoln Neb., which occurred Monday night. He had been suffering for some
time past from a severe attack of Bright's disease and while his death was expected it had been hoped that he might eventually recover. The remains will be brought to Centerville to-morrow and the interment will probably take place from the residence of Frank Whitsell on Friday. Mr. Pennington was an old settler of Appanoose county, having come here about the year 1858, from Wellsburg, West Va., and has lived here off and on over since. He opened up a photograph gallery about that time with D. L. Strickler and for several years they were in partnership, when Mr. Pennington severed his connection and for some time after devoted his attention to the jewelery business. A few years later he built a two story structure on the corner now occupied by Lane Strickler and branched off in the restaurant line. On April 1st, 1879, the building was burned to the ground and the family living over the store, barely escaped with their lives. This conflagration cost Mr. Pennington something like $15,000 and he never fully recovered from the loss. The building was rebuilt and business reasumed but he shortly afterwards sold out to Lawrence Whitsell and went to Page county and managed a general store in York for a year or so. But little success followed this venture and he returned to Centerville in 1883. In the fall of the same year he moved to Coldwater, Kansas, and embarked in the real estate business where he has since resided.
Shortly after taking up his residence there he was elected superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Pennington never was in good health having always had considerable trouble with his lungs and heart, and when he went to Kansas it was with the hope of regaining strength and
vigor. Last fall he went to California, having grown steadily worse, but the climate did not have the desired effect and about three weeks ago it was found necessary that he should return to his home. He was taken to the home of his oldest daughter, Mrs. O. A. Robinson, for medical treatment, but from that time rapidly declined and his death occurred Monday as previously stated.
Mr. Pennington was married about 1868, to Miss Michaels, of Seymour, whose father is a prominent merchant of that place. Three children have been born to them, all of whom are living,
Mrs. Jackson, of Coldwater, Kansas, Mrs. O. A. Robinson, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and a boy about twelve years of age.
Mr. Pennington was a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, Masons and was a charter member of the local chapter of the Knights of Pythias. He was well known in Centerville, liked by all
and his many friends will mourn his death.

Note: buried at Oakland Cemetery, Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa.