OBIT: Eben PENNELL, 1902, Bedford, Bedford County, PA

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EBEN PENNELL, ONE OF THE OLDEST CITIZENS OF BEDFORD, HAS JOINED THE GREAT 
MAJORITY

  Eben Pennell, one of the oldest citizens of Bedford, died early Sunday 
morning.  The deceased was the son of Jabez and Mercy Pennell and was born at 
Bars Mill, Me., February 13, 1816.  He came to this place in 1839.  On November 
12, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Over, daughter of John Over, 
of Bedford, by Rev. Jacob Zeiger, at that time pastor of the Reformed church 
here.  This union was blessed with eleven children, six of whom are still 
living, namely, Mrs. Kate Radebaugh, of Butler; Mrs. Annie T. Welshonee, of 
Everett; Miss Lou Pennell of home; Mrs. Lillie S. Barefoot of Weyant; George S. 
Pennell and Attorney Edward M. Pennell, of Bedford.  His oldest son died while 
in the service of the United States, being a private in the 76th Regiment of 
Infantry.  His grandmother died at the age of 104 years and his grandfather 
passed away while serving in the revolutionary war.  His great grandfather 
served throughout that conflict and was ninety-seven years old when he answered 
the final summons.  Mr. Pennell is also survived by these brothers and sisters; 
A. L. Pennell of Pittsfield, N.H., Oliver Pennell, Mrs. Esther Mercy Sanderson, 
Mrs. Eudona Sweat of Bar Mills, Me.; Mrs. Ruth Burnham, of Biddleford, Me.  Mr. 
Pennell followed carpentry until 1883 and built a large number of houses in 
Bedford, among them being those of Abram Covalt and E. F. Karr.  He did his 
first work on a brick house at the Springs.  He became ill last March, with salt 
rheum on the ankle, the result of an injury received many years before and 
although he suffered intensely he never complained.  He was raised a 
Congregationalist, but in early manhood joined the Reformed church.  He lived in 
stirring times and often entertained his friends by relating incidents of 
political campaigns when men rolled huge balls from Cumberland to Bedford and 
instead of bands had singing clubs at the mass meetings.
  In religion, Mr. Pennell was faithful and consistent; in politics, he was firm 
but fair-minded; in his relationships with his fellow-men, he was upright and 
honest.  A notable trait of his character was his unselfishness and his interest 
in the comfort of others.  He was a great reader his mind was a well-filled 
store-house of knowledge if past and present events of interest.
  The funeral services were held at his late home Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock 
and were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Irvin W. Hendricks, assisted by Rev. Dr. 
C. J. Musser.  Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.  The pall-bearers 
were Col. L. A. May, Capt. Levi Smith, Attorney J.C. Russell, J. Scott Corle, 
Asa Diehl and Philip Leonard.

Bedford Gazette, Friday, October 10, 1902, page 1, column 1

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