My Genealogy Hound

HANSON L. PENN (deceased) was born on Indian Creek, Clermont Co., Ohio, September 16, 1813. His father was engaged in milling and farming. He resided with his parents until near his majority, employed in active manual labor, or in securing such elementary education as was obtainable at that time in the common schools of the county. During this period, he acquired the habits of industry and of promptitude and energy, which were his chief characteristics in after life. In 1835, he settled in Georgetown and began the study of law under the guidance of George W. King, a prominent and able legal practitioner. While thus pursuing his studies, he supported himself by writing in the Clerk’s office. At the April term, 1837, of the Supreme Court for Brown County, he was admitted to practice law in the various courts of the State. Immediately after his admission, he engaged in the practice of his profession, in partnership with Martin Marshall, of Augusta, Ky., who at that time attended the various courts of this county. On him then devolved the labor of preparing cases and transacting the entire office business, a task which he performed with admirable exactitude and ability. To the investigation of his cases, he brought a thorough knowledge of legal principles, a clear and discriminating judgment, and indomitable energy. This partnership continued five or six years, until Mr. Marshall, owing to age and infirmity was compelled to relinquish his attendance at court. From this time until 1855, he continued in active practice, part of the time alone and part of the time in partnership. He was then controlling an extensive business in the different counties of his judicial district. Subsequently, his private business having become so extensive as to require a great deal of attention, he retired almost entirely from practice, appearing only in important cases, and for his former clients. As the result of his assiduous devotion to his profession and business, he amassed a handsome fortune. As a business man, he had few equals, and in every public improvement he was ever foremost, while his means and his influence were never withheld from any undertaking calculated to advance public morality, or to promote the general welfare. No enterprise in which he once heartily engaged ever failed to ultimately achieve success, while to him more than to any other man in Brown County are the people indebted for the public improvements which have been there carried to completion. “In him the needy and unfortunate ever found a friend, and the poor man a benefactor. His ear was ever open to hear the tale of want and woe, and his purse to relieve suffering and distress.” Strong in will, resolute in purpose, he was true in friendship, loyal even as an enemy. Beginning life without means, and without the influence of powerful friends, he won for himself not only a valuable estate, but a high position among the professional and business men of the community which honored and loved him. Until the disintegration of the Whig party, he was intimately identified with its organization, and labored zealously to insure its success. He was the President of the Whig State Convention, held in Ohio in 1855, and when the Know-Nothing organization came into being and absorbed so large a portion of the Whig party, he refused to countenance the movement, and constantly expressed his opposition to the new principles advocated. In the great issue presented to the country by the Nebraska bill, he took from the first a decided stand in favor of its principles. He refused to participate in the fusion which resulted in the formation of the Republican party. In the Buchanan and Breckenridge campaign, his party being disorganized, he attached himself to what he believed to be the party of the Constitution and the Union, and labored earnestly and efficiently to secure the success of Democratic measures. During the canvass, he traversed the several counties of his Congressional district, and also various counties in the adjoining State of Kentucky, in all of them advocating his views with ardent fervor. “No man in Southern Ohio did more for the triumph of Democratic principles and the success of the Democratic candidates than he. The effect of his labors was seen in the result of the election. This Congressional district was redeemed, and the Democratic candidate returned by a triumphant majority.” He died of erysipelas, at Georgetown, June 29, 1857, in his forty-fourth year. He married Mary W. King. Their son, Hanson L., bearing his father’s name, is probably the most prominent breeder and dealer in blooded stock in Brown County. He was born at Georgetown in 1857. In early life, he commenced taking an active interest in fine stock, and by devoting his energy, ability and a liberal display of money, has succeeded in placing himself among the more enterprising breeders in Southern Ohio. He owns a fine farm of 280 acres, a quarter of a mile east of Georgetown. This farm is intended for a breeding and stock farm, seeded down with grass, and on which is a smooth half-mile track, where his horses receive an excellent training. He is also an extensive breeder and dealer in Alderney cattle. Among his horses are the following: Blennerhassett, by Abdallah Messenger; he by Alexander’s Abdallah (sire of Goldsmith Maid — time, 2:14); first dam by Kinkead’s St. Lawrence; second dam, Imperial Trustee; third dam, Diomede — valued highly. Andy Peddicord, black colt, by Mambrino Patchen; dam Orleans, by a son of old Abdallah, a three-year-old, with a record of 2:42 1/2. Donna Mercedes, a four year-old filly, sired by Strathmore; first dam by Lightning; second dam, by Joe Patterson; a sure trotter. Grey gelding, Jim, Dunn; a fast pacer; sired by Mambrino King, the finest stallion in the world, sold to a party at Buffalo, N. Y., for $15,000; this colt paced a mile in 2:37, at a two-year-old race. Tillie Herr, by Mambrino Abdallah; first dam by Harold, the sire of Maud S. — record, 2:10 ¼ ; a very promising trotter. Bay gelding, Lexington, by Mambrino Patchen; this colt is a full brother to London, a five-year-old, with a record of 2:28. Among Mr. Penn’s horses may be found descendants of the following blooded stock: Mambrino Patchen, Mambriao Abdallah, Abdallah Boy, Harold, Strathmore, Alexander’s Abdallah, and Coleman’s Abdallah Messenger. Mr. Penn deserves great credit for introducing such a display of fine stock in Brown County, and in bettering the condition of the Brown County stock. He is a man of great energy and perseverance, and his labors in behalf of this department of stock of Brown County are truly commendable. Mr. Penn was united in marriage, in 1879, to a daughter of Capt. C. F. Kendall, a native of Cincinnati. They have one living child. Mrs. Penn is a member of the M. E. Church at Georgetown.