Bio of Orrin Pencille, Wabasha Co., MN USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Martha J. Berryman Note: This Biography is taken from the book "History of Wabasha County" copyrighted 1920. Pencille - Orrin Pencille, a pioneer settler in Zumbro Township, now deceased, was a native of Canada and married a Mary A. Denison of New York state. They came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, in 1856, at which time there was a considerable influx of settlers, though but little land cleared, and the few farm houses were nearly all small log cabins. Mr. Pencille took a claim of 80 acres in Zumbro Township, and later increased the size of his farm to 120 acres, subsequently buying more still more land until he owned 280 acres, a part of which he cleared, besides erecting buildings. He also acquired a quarter section at Bigstone, Minnesota. In addition to general farming, he worked at the blacksmith's trade. In 1892 he moved his family to Plainview, where he engaged in the music business, selling musical instruments, and giving music lessons. Encouraged by his success in this line of endeavor, but desiring a larger field, he went in 1902 to Chicago, where he followed the same business until 1907. He then sold his Chicago interests and returning to Minnesota, took up his residence in Rochester, where he died in the same year. He had been a widower for eight years, his wife having passed away in December, 1899. They were members of the Methodist Church. Their children were William D., Annie L., Ida, Nettie, Carrie, Grace E., and Catherine A., of whom William, Annie and Grace are now the only survivors. Note: This Biography is taken from the book "History of Wabasha County" copyrighted 1920. ----