From: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883, page 338 (Liberty Township)

Charles Penney, one of the proprietors of the Penneyville Creamery, was born in England, March 20, 1833, came to America when twelve years of age, landed at Quebec, Canada, went direct to Racine CO., Wis., remained there ten years, and on June 20, 1856, came to what is now Liberty township, Mitchell Co., Iowa. He was the third man who settled in the township, and has since made this his home. He followed farming until 1880, at which time he engaged in the creamery business.

He is at present manufacturing about 600 pounds of good butter per day and ships it to New York. He is associated with his brothers Frank and Henry in the creamery business. There were seven brothers, all of whom are now living in this locality. Charles purchased for himself, father and brothers, 1,000 acres of government land at $1.25 per acre, and his brothers soon joined him, where they have all lived up to this time. Charles has been county supervisor, district township treasurer and school director.

He was married Oct. 7, 1853, to Mary Wallace, born in England, April 13, 1833. They have seven children - Elbridge, James H., Edwin L., Elizabeth, Bartie, Charles A. and Emma. Mr. Penney and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Penney has 400 acres of good land and has recently deeded it all to his boys, except 100 acres, on which is his residence, on section 3. Mrs. Penney's father, Daniel Wallace, was the first minister to hold religious services in Stacyville township. Mr. Penney's parents were natives of England, both born in 1801. His father died in 1875, and his mother, Elizabeth (Zulan**) Penney, died in 1878, and both are buried in the Stacyville cemetery.

 

Contributed by Gordon Felland, May 2003

** Note: According to Michael Higgins Elizabeth's maiden name was Garland, not Zulan.

Also, she was the daughter of Charles Brune Garland and Mary Wallis Garland.

Michael Higgins is the g-g-g-g-g-grandson of William and Elizabeth Garland Penney.