From: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1884, page 338 (Liberty Township)
William Penney came to Mitchell county in 1855, and settled on section 10, Liberty, township, where he owns 160 acres of land under good cultivation. Mr. Penney is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Sublime Lodge, No. 306. He is a native of England, born April 27, 1837. He came to America with his parents when he was eight years of age. They landed at Quebec, where they remained a few days and then settled at Kenosha, Wis., where William remained until he came to this county.
He was married to Hannah M. Halsey, a native of New York, born Dec. 23, 1841. They have twelve children - Susan A., born Aug. 18, 1860; Harvey A., Jan. 11, 1862; Martha A., Aug. 28, 1863; Laura E., Aug. 27, 1865; Fannie M., Feb. 26, 1867; Rosa B., Feb. 26, 1869; Mary E., Sept. 17, 1871; Mina B., March 20, 1873; Winne J., Jan. 6, 1875; George W., Sept. 16, 1877; Edna M., Nov. 12, 1879, and William H., Feb. 2, 1882.
Contributed by Gordon Felland, May 2003