My Genealogy Hound

HON. CHARLES B. PENROSE. Charles Bingham Penrose is admitted under Reed. He was born near Philadelphia, Oct. 6, 1798. After reading law with Samuel Ewing, Esq., in Philadelphia, he immediately removed to Carlisle, and was admitted to our Bar, August term, 1821, at which he soon acquired a prominent position. In 1833 he was elected to the State Senate, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected. In this capacity he achieved distinction even among the men of ability who were then chosen to fill this office. In 1841 he was appointed, by President Harrison. Solicitor of the Treasury, which position he held until the close of President Tyler’s administration. He settled afterward in Lancaster, then in Philadelphia, in both places successfully pursuing his profession. In 1856 he was again elected (as Reform candidate) to the State Senate, during which term he died after a short illness of pneumonia, at Harrisburg, April 6, 1857.

In appearance Mr. Penrose was slightly above the medium height, with white hair, and fine intellectual, but determined, expression of countenance. In his character he was unselfish, benevolent, self-reliant and earnest in whatever he undertook to accomplish; his manners were polished, gentle, courteous and genial, and his whole demeanor, in short, that of a Christian gentleman.

Mr. Penrose was married to Valeria Fullerton Biddle. Their oldest son, William M. Penrose, was a prominent member of our Bar; the second, R. A. Penrose, is a distingnished practitioner of medicine in Philadelphia, while their third son, Clement Biddie Penrose, Esq., holds a high position at the Bar of that city. [Wing’s History of Cumberland County.]