Benjamin Pennington

PENNINGTON, WILSON, COWGER, STALL, LAVEL, OCONNELL, HUMPHREY

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/3/2001 at 07:21:02

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties - 1890
BENJAMIN PENNINGTON
Benjamin Pennington, a harness-maker of Milton, Van Buren County, and one of the leading citizens of that place, was born in Kent County Delaware, April 25, 1826, and is the son of Benjamin and Ann Wilson Pennington. His father died when he was quite young, and with his mother and stepfather, he removed to Franklin County Indiana, when a lad of nine years. He remained in that county until 1844, which year witnessed his arrival in Van Buren County, where the greater part of his life has since been passed. In January 1852 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Cowger who was born in Rush county Indiana in 1829. They have five children, two sons and three daughters—William George married Sarah Stall and is living in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Thomas F. wedded Mary Lavel and is living in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado; Clara is the wife of Michael O’Connell, of Milton; Martha is the wife of Frank Humphrey, a jeweler of Milton; and Addie is at home.
About 1854, Mr. Pennington removed to Davis County Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for almost a quarter of a century. He came to Milton in 1878 and turned his attention to other pursuits. He had previously learned the carpenter trade and now devoted himself to that business until February 1884, when he purchased a harness shop, since which time harness making has been the means employed whereby to gain a livelihood. He is an expert workman as will be indicated by the fact that in the same year in which he embarked in business he made a set of harness which took the premium at the fair held that autumn. Since he began business in that line, Joseph Spencer has been associated with him in business as a partner. They have the only harness shop in the city and have secured a flourishing trade, their liberal patronage yielding them a good income. Mr. Pennington is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in political sentiment is a supporter of the Democracy and socially, a member of Lone Star Lodge, No. 155, I.O.O.F. of Milton.
I am not related, and am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.