My Genealogy Hound

BYRON PENNELL. A biographical compendium of Berrien County would be incomplete were not mention made of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, for he is a man of much public spirit; he donates liberally to all public enterprises and gives his influence to every just measure for the promotion of the common good. He is a native of the Empire State, born in Locke, December 29, 1840, and was but eight years of age when he came with his father, A. C. Pennell, to this county. His father being an agriculturist, the scholastic training of our subject was received in the district schools and he divided his time in youth in attending the same and assisting on the farm.

Thus our subject grew to sturdy manhood, and when he started out to begin the battle of life for himself, which was not until he was twenty-three years of age, he hired out for one year as a mill and lumber hand. His father then gave him forty acres of land, principally timber, but our subject did not move onto this farm. In selecting a companion for life he chose Miss Sarah Shultz, a native of Berrien County, and their nuptials were celebrated in 1864. Her parents, John G. and Betsie (Storick) Shultz, were natives of the Keystone State, and came to this State at an early day. The father was an agriculturist and followed that occupation all his life. Their three children were in the order of their birth as follows: Harriet, wife of Amos Painter; Sarah, Mrs. Pennell; and William, now residing in this county. Mrs. Shultz died in Berrien County in February, 1888, and her husband followed her to the grave in August of the same year. They were most worthy citizens.

After marriage Mr. Pennell resided with his father-in-law for three years and assisted him in the payment of a large place. During his residence there the father-in-law gave him and his wife a piece of land consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, all heavily timbered, and Mr. Pennell sold his first place and began improving his new farm. He now has eighty-eight acres under a good state of cultivation, has two fine residences, and his barns and outbuildings are substantial and commodious. All his farming operations are conducted in a thorough, wide-awake manner, and he is classed among the leading farmers of his section. He has an abundance of fruit of all kinds for home consumption, and his rural home, which is presided over with much care by Mrs. Pennell, is one of the pleasantest in the section. Mr. and Mrs. Pennell have had no children of their own, but have reared two orphan children, Susan Howater and Clyde E. Pennell, both of whom are now with this estimable couple.

Mr. Pennell is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is a member of the Dunkard Church.