Oliver Penrose 1882-1915

PENROSE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/14/2018 at 12:51:40

4 March 1915 - West Branch Times

Oliver T. Penrose was born at West Branch, Iowa, tenth month, second, 1882. He was an exceptionally healthy child until in his fourth year he fell a victim to that dread disease, scarlet fever, followed by inflammatory rheumatism which settled in his spine and right knee, retarding his growth for several years and compelling the use of crutches. He entered school in 1894, and was graduated from the High school in 1901. For two years he was employed as a telephone operator at West Branch, Iowa.

Notwithstanding his physical handicap, he accepted it with remarkable patience and with no less remarkable perserverence he was constantly alert to improve his education. Taking instruction as a draftsman from the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania, he obtained a position two days after receiving his diploma, in the government works at Rock Island, where he remained until the time of his removal to California, a year or more later.

He entered the service of the city of Pasadena for a time, then going to Berkley he completed a course of studies in civil engineering. Upon his return to Pasadena he became an employe of the Santa Fe Railway, where until overtaken by his last illness, he worked at his profession.

From his childhood, without murmuring on account of his physical difficulties, he lived a strenuous life, continuing his studies, developing his mind, radiating cheerfulness around his pathway, ever increasing his friendships and always pointing to the higher things of life until on First Month, 26th, 1915, the frail body ceased to sustain him and his released spirit passed into eternal life.

As president of the Friendly Circle, he strove constantly to extend the sphere of its usefulness and ever pointed the way with words of cheer and worthy thought and was always willing to entertain others with the poems he loved. As a leader of the Christian life among younger Friends, he was zealous for the extension and appreciation of the doctrines of the Society and leading with lively sincerity their adaptation to everyday living. Ever ready to add to the enjoyment of his friends and never concerned to point out the shortcomings of others, he chose the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ and lived close to the leadings and teachings of the Master he loved so much.