My Genealogy Hound

HON. THOMAS PENNEY, McKeesport, Pa., is now seventy-four years of age. He was born across the river, in the “Jersey settlement.” His father’s family came from the north of Ireland, and his mother’s family from Scotland. His father’s people moved here from New Jersey. His wife was a Miss Sill, and her people, coming to this valley, settled near Turtle Creek. His father moved from the Forks to McKeesport when Thomas was but two years of age and where he has lived off and on at least fifty-six years of his life. Of his family all are dead save Mrs. Houghton. Three of his brothers practiced medicine, one was a lawyer, and served a term at Harrisburg as president of the senate; one was an officer in the regular army, and one died a few days after graduating at Jefferson College.

Mr. Penney learned the tailor trade, tramped it awhile out west, but returned to McKeesport. He was one of those who formed the republican party, and has served the state as representative to the legislature from Allegheny county. He was one of the first to serve as burgess of McKeesport; he assisted to organize the First National Bank in that place, and was its first cashier. He now lives in an elegant home on Walnut street, and devotes much of his time to the interests and beautification of Versailles cemetery, being president of its board. He has no active business interest, but lives to enjoy the fruits of a well-spent life.