Pennings, Henry J., 1917-1940

PENNINGS, MOUW

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/6/2022 at 14:53:23

Born: March 5, 1917
Died: November 23, 1940

From the Alton Democrat, November 29, 1940:

Only 23 years old, Henry James Pennings on Saturday, Nov. 23, committed suicide in the barn on the farm of Peter Goslinga where he was working. Funeral services took place Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Christian Reformed church, Rev. Bronkema officiating.

Henry James was a young man of good character and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry John Pennings and family have the sympathy of the community. Brothers and sisters surviving are Adrian, Le Mars; Adriana, Mrs. W. Nibbelink; Edna, Mrs. Jake Fedders, Boyden, and Wilmina at home; besides the following half brothers and sisters: Engelbert, Gerrit, Wilbur, Lawrence, Clarence, Milton, Gertrude, Harriet, Matilda and Helen.

The cause for his sad act is not known except that it must have happened in a moment of unexplained despondency.

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From the Sioux Center News, November 28, 1940:

Henry Pennings, 23, Orange City, Ends Life By Hanging

Orange City, Ia.—Special: The lifeless body of Henry James Pennings, jr., 23, was found late Saturday afternoon, hanging from a rope in a barn on the farm of Peter Goslinga north of here. Acting Coroner C. De Booy pronounced death due to suicide. Sheriff Henry Dykstra also investigated.

Funeral services will be held at one p.m. Wednesday in the Orange City First Christian Reformed Church.

Mrs. Goslinga said Pennings, a hired hand, did not respond when she called him for lunch, but she did not investigate. The body was found by Mr. Goslinga when he returned from town.

Pennings is survived by his father, Henry J. Pennings, sr., and several brothers and sisters. Friends said Pennings was of a melancholy nature and some time ago had threatened to take his life.

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From the Sioux County Capital (Orange City), November 28, 1940:

Young Man Commits Suicide

[Mentions three deaths in the area over the weekend.] The third death was that of Henry James Pennings, jr. age 23 who was found hanging dead Saturday in the hay mow on the Peter Goslinga farm just north of town. He was the son of Henry J. Pennings, a prominent farmer who lives south of Orange City.

Young Pennings had been working as hired man during the winter months on the Goslinga farm. This was the second year that he had worked for Mr. Goslinga. He had eaten dinner with the family at noon and had done the chores around the house. He had played with the little Goslinga girl and had given her a ride on his shoulders. He went out of the house, presumably to do the chores around the barn. Mrs. Goslinga called him for lunch at about 3 o’clock, but received no answer. About 4:15 Mr. Goslinga returned to the farm after a trip to Sioux City where he took his father, Sjoerd Goslinga, for medical attention. He went to the barn to see if Henry had brought in the cows. Not seeing him and knowing that the boy had been of a melancholy nature, he looked for him around the barn and found the lifeless body hanging in the hay mow. Young Pennings had hanged himself with a trip rope. He was fully clothed and was wearing a cap and mittens.

Mr. Goslinga immediately called the sheriff Harry Dykstra, who investigated with deputy coroner C. De Booy. The latter pronounced the death a suicide by hanging. From the appearances of the body, it was believed that the young man died about 1:30 o’clock.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon from the home at 12:15 and from the First Chr. Ref. church at 1 o’clock. He is survived by his father, stepmother, and several brothers and sisters.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate (informant H. J. Penniings) has Henry James Pennings, usual residence 1 mile north and ½ mile east of Orange City; born March 5, 1917 at Orange City; parents Henry J. Pennings Sr. and Matilda Mouw, both born in Orange City; usual occupation, farm hand; died Nov. 23, 1940; cause: suicide, on farm, hanging by rope around neck.

His FindaGrave page shows him buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City; gives his parents’ life dates: Henry John Pennings (1882-1950) and Matilda Mouw Pennings (1885-1918); and lists 4 siblings and 6 half-siblings.

The 1940 U.S. census (taken in April) shows him living with and working as a hired hand for farmer Henry Van Klompenburg and his family in Nassau Township.

His World War II draft registration card (dated Oct. 16, 1940) shows him working for Peter Goslinga of Orange City; grey eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, no height or weight recorded.