Oliver Pennock 1846-1922

PENNOCK, HAWLEY, ENLOW, CLEMPSON, HILL, FORSYTH, THOMPSON, ALBIN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/28/2018 at 09:08:16

11 May 1922 - West Branch Times

Oliver C. Pennock passed away at 2:00 o'clock Wednesday morning at his home on North Downey street.

Mr. Pennock had been subject to severe attacks of heart trouble for some time and has been confined to his bed the past few weeks. About a week ago his condition suddenly became alarming and he has gradually grown weaker until the end.

Funeral services are held at 2:00 o'clock this afternoon in the Friends church, conducted by Rev. W. A. Montgomery, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian church at this place.

18 May 1922 - West Branch Times

Oliver C. Pennock was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 12, 1846. He passed away in his home at West Branch, Iowa, May 10, 1922, aged seventy-five years, ten months and twenty-eight days.

When but a boy four years of age, his parents died, but he was fortunate in finding a home with his uncle, Samuel Enlow, and family. When he was twelve years old he came with the Enlow family to Cedar county, Iowa, where he has lived a long and busy life.

On Feb. 5, 1868, he was united in marriage to Annie E. Hawley and to this union were born nine children, four of whom are still living. Three of the children died in infancy, the wife and mother in 1887, one son, Samuel E., on Feb. 20, 1899, and one daughter, Mary L., on June 6, 1900. An only sister, Mrs. Mary Clempson, died in 1920.

On Sept. 25, 1889 Mr. Pennock was married to Victoria Hill and this union was broken by the wife's decease in 1895.

June 10, 1896, he was married to Wilmonia Forsyth. Mrs. Pennock and three children, Mrs. Alice Albin, Adelbert L. Pennock and Mrs. Linna Thompson, all of West Branch were at the bedside when the end came. The other son, Charles O. Pennock, is now living in Los Angeles, Calif., and could not return at this time.

From the time of his marriage in 1868 till about eighteen years ago Mr. Pennock made his home on the farm in Gower township where, in addition to the routine duties of the home life on the farm, he took an active interest in the public life of the community, serving as secretary of the school board for twenty-five years and as justice of the peace for thirty years. Since coming to town eighteen years ago, he has likewise taken a very active part in various public and civic affairs. In 1902 he became a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank of West Branch, and the following year was elected president, holding this position ever since. He has served as a member of the school board, a director in the West Branch Electric Light Co., and has been a notary public and justice of the peace for many years.

Mr. Pennock has lived an exemplary life in every respect. He has loved and practiced a peaceful life, and he has ever used his word and influence to have others do likewise. Perhaps as well known as any other citizen of Cedar county for the past sixty years, he has been universally loved and respected as a man and as a citizen, both in private and in public life. He was for years an elder in the Presbyterian church, and of recent years has been a faithful member in the local Friends church.

While in the morning meeting on Easter Sunday he became ill, and within a few days serious heart trouble was discovered. Then on Wednesday, May 3, he suffered a slight paralytic stroke, and from that time he had gradually failed--slipping quietly and peacefully away on May 10, 1922.

He leaves to mourn his loss, besides the sons and daughters and wife previously mentioned, nine grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held from the Friends church at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, with Rev. Walter Wilson in charge. Rev. W. A. Montgomery, a former pastor and family friend, spoke words of comfort. Mr. and Mrs. P. V. N. Myers sang, with Mr. Albin at the piano. The pall bearers were A. R. Cavin and five trustees from the bank of which Mr. Pennock was president.