MRS. HANNAH PENN

PENN

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/23/2020 at 14:04:36

MRS. HANNAH PENN, of Red Oak, is the widow of William H. H. Penn, who was one of Montgomery’s earliest and best known pioneers, coming here in 1865. He was born in Scotland county, Missouri, a son of Harwood Penn, who was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the first
settlers in that part of Missouri. Mr. William H. H. Penn was reared in Missouri, and went to Warren county, Iowa, where he married, in January, 1865, Miss Hannah Osborn, a lady of intelligence and a worthy companion through life for her husband. She was born in Wells county, Indiana, the daughter of Larkin Osborn, who also was born in that State, in Union county, a son of William Osborn. A brother named James Osborn, was a Senator. Mrs. Penn’s mother’s maiden name was Rachel Mingle, and she was born at New Castle, Henry county, Indiana, a daughter of John Mingle, a native of Germany, who was five years of age when his parents emigrated to this country. He married Mary Ritchie, who was born in Buffalo, New York, of French parentage. Hannah Osborn was a young child when her parents moved with her to Scotland county, Missouri, where she grew up and was educated. Intending to go to California they sold out, but changed their minds and remained here. Mrs. Penn’s father now lives in southern Missouri, while her mother at present is with her. Mr. and Mrs. Penn came to Red Oak
shortly after their marriage, with but very little means, but he was a successful man and accumulated a valuable property, some of which consists of choice land in Nebraska
The home farm comprises 160 acres, and there are forty acres on section 10 belonging to the
estate. The house, thirty-two feet square, is a good dwelling, two stories high and surrounded with the usual farm buildings, trees, groves, etc., all of which are kept in good condition; there are also good springs on the place.

Mrs. Penn has had eleven children: Harwood Major resides in Lancaster county, Nebraska; Mary Jane was educated at Tabor and Shenandoah, Iowa, and is now the wife of Frank Jefferson, Lancaster county, Nebraska; Millard F. is a graduate of Des Moines Business College; Ruel Taylor is married and also resides in Lancaster county, Nebraska; Anna
Belle is a student at Shenandoah College; William H. H., Jr., was drowned in in 1890, at the age of eleven years; the remaining four are, Francis M., Lncv M., Alma Amelia, and John M.

Mr. Penn died in 1882. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party; he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, but had taken only two degrees, as a protracted illness prevented his attending the lodge. He was a kind husband and father, was highly respected by all his neighbors, and was one of the most useful citizens of the community. His mother’s maiden name was Amelia Daggs, a daughter of Ruel Daggs, a native of Virginia; his father and relatives residing in Missouri were owners of slaves until they were set free in the late war.