“Edward R. Penberthy, general agent for the Lake Superior Soap Company, of Houghton, Michigan, was born on the 24th of June, 1841, in county Tipperary, Ireland, and is a son of English parents, John and Johanna (Thomas) Penberthy, who came to the United States in 1854. The father died ere reaching his destination, departing this life in Montreal. The other members of the family afterward continued on their way to Lake Superior, and located at Cliff Mine, Michigan. The mother died in Ripley, Michigan, in 1893. In the family were nine sons, of whom Edward R. was the second in order of birth.
[Edward] was about thirteen years of age when with his parents he came to the New World. The greater part of his education was obtained in the national schools of his native land, but he supplemented his studies to some extent by attending night school. Immediately after locating at Cliff mine, he began to earn his own living by working in the stamp mills at that place, and at the age of seventeen he secured a clerkship in the company’s store, where he remained for a year. He then accepted a position as engineer, or move properly engine driver, and this position gave him more time for study, as his day of labor covered only eight hours. After being thus employed for two years, he returned to the store, where he remained for two years, and then, severing his connection with the Cliff mine, he accepted a position with Brockway & Perry at Copper Harbor, as sales clerk. While in their employ he was offered a position as school-teacher at Eagle River, continuing his labors in that line for two years. At the same time he was also employed as bookkeeper for the Humbolt Mining Company.
On leaving Eagle River, Mr. Penberthy accepted the position with Foley Brothers & Company, general merchants at Eagle Harbor and Houghton, serving in the capacity of bookkeeper and general manager. While thus employed he also acted as Township Clerk for one term and was Village Recorder of Eagle Harbor for one term. He remained with Foley Brothers for seven years—a trusted and faithful employee, laboring for the interests of the firm with which he was connected and thereby promoting his own fortunes. It was in these various lines of labor that he acquired the capital with which to engage in business for himself.
In 1872 Mr. Penberthy embarked in merchandising at L’Anse under the firm name of Penberthy & Brennan. That connection was continued until the fall of 1879, when he sold out to his partner and returned to Houghton. He also acted as Village Recorder, and was recognized as one of its leading citizens. On his return to this city he was employed as clerk in the Houghton office of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company, with which he continued for two years, when, in September, 1881, he was offered and accepted a position with the Lake Superior Native Copper Works, in the capacity of bookkeeper and business manager. While discharging the responsible duties of that position he was elected secretare and treasurer of the Wolverine Mining Company (which he had aided in organizing), and served in that capacity until 1884, when the business was closed. Through the two succeeding years, Mr. Penberthy was engaged in the commission business, and in 1886 was appointed by President Cleveland as Postmaster of Houghton, holding the office for four years. In the meantime he formed a partnership with his brother, S. T. Penberthy, in general merchandising at South Lake Linden, and the business was carried on five years; but, not finding it very profitable, they sold out to N. Reding. In June, 1893, [he] became connected with the Lake Superior Soap Company, and handles their entire output of the celebrated Ingot soap. He is also a stockholder in the company. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Penberthy owns considerable real estate in Houghton, and derives a good income from these properties.
On the 11th of October, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of [Mr. Penberthy] and Miss Ellen M. McKernan, a daughter of Hon. John Q. McKernan. Their family now numbers four sons and a daughter—John E., Emma J., Grover C., Stanley J. and Philip R. They attend the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Penberthy is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
[Edward] was about thirteen years of age when with his parents he came to the New World. The greater part of his education was obtained in the national schools of his native land, but he supplemented his studies to some extent by attending night school. Immediately after locating at Cliff mine, he began to earn his own living by working in the stamp mills at that place, and at the age of seventeen he secured a clerkship in the company’s store, where he remained for a year. He then accepted a position as engineer, or move properly engine driver, and this position gave him more time for study, as his day of labor covered only eight hours. After being thus employed for two years, he returned to the store, where he remained for two years, and then, severing his connection with the Cliff mine, he accepted a position with Brockway & Perry at Copper Harbor, as sales clerk. While in their employ he was offered a position as school-teacher at Eagle River, continuing his labors in that line for two years. At the same time he was also employed as bookkeeper for the Humbolt Mining Company.
On leaving Eagle River, Mr. Penberthy accepted the position with Foley Brothers & Company, general merchants at Eagle Harbor and Houghton, serving in the capacity of bookkeeper and general manager. While thus employed he also acted as Township Clerk for one term and was Village Recorder of Eagle Harbor for one term. He remained with Foley Brothers for seven years—a trusted and faithful employee, laboring for the interests of the firm with which he was connected and thereby promoting his own fortunes. It was in these various lines of labor that he acquired the capital with which to engage in business for himself.
In 1872 Mr. Penberthy embarked in merchandising at L’Anse under the firm name of Penberthy & Brennan. That connection was continued until the fall of 1879, when he sold out to his partner and returned to Houghton. He also acted as Village Recorder, and was recognized as one of its leading citizens. On his return to this city he was employed as clerk in the Houghton office of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company, with which he continued for two years, when, in September, 1881, he was offered and accepted a position with the Lake Superior Native Copper Works, in the capacity of bookkeeper and business manager. While discharging the responsible duties of that position he was elected secretare and treasurer of the Wolverine Mining Company (which he had aided in organizing), and served in that capacity until 1884, when the business was closed. Through the two succeeding years, Mr. Penberthy was engaged in the commission business, and in 1886 was appointed by President Cleveland as Postmaster of Houghton, holding the office for four years. In the meantime he formed a partnership with his brother, S. T. Penberthy, in general merchandising at South Lake Linden, and the business was carried on five years; but, not finding it very profitable, they sold out to N. Reding. In June, 1893, [he] became connected with the Lake Superior Soap Company, and handles their entire output of the celebrated Ingot soap. He is also a stockholder in the company. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Penberthy owns considerable real estate in Houghton, and derives a good income from these properties.
On the 11th of October, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of [Mr. Penberthy] and Miss Ellen M. McKernan, a daughter of Hon. John Q. McKernan. Their family now numbers four sons and a daughter—John E., Emma J., Grover C., Stanley J. and Philip R. They attend the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Penberthy is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
“Edward R. Penberthy, general agent for the Lake Superior Soap Company, of Houghton, Michigan, was born on the 24th of June, 1841, in county Tipperary, Ireland, and is a son of English parents, John and Johanna (Thomas) Penberthy, who came to the United States in 1854. The father died ere reaching his destination, departing this life in Montreal. The other members of the family afterward continued on their way to Lake Superior, and located at Cliff Mine, Michigan. The mother died in Ripley, Michigan, in 1893. In the family were nine sons, of whom Edward R. was the second in order of birth.
[Edward] was about thirteen years of age when with his parents he came to the New World. The greater part of his education was obtained in the national schools of his native land, but he supplemented his studies to some extent by attending night school. Immediately after locating at Cliff mine, he began to earn his own living by working in the stamp mills at that place, and at the age of seventeen he secured a clerkship in the company’s store, where he remained for a year. He then accepted a position as engineer, or move properly engine driver, and this position gave him more time for study, as his day of labor covered only eight hours. After being thus employed for two years, he returned to the store, where he remained for two years, and then, severing his connection with the Cliff mine, he accepted a position with Brockway & Perry at Copper Harbor, as sales clerk. While in their employ he was offered a position as school-teacher at Eagle River, continuing his labors in that line for two years. At the same time he was also employed as bookkeeper for the Humbolt Mining Company.
On leaving Eagle River, Mr. Penberthy accepted the position with Foley Brothers & Company, general merchants at Eagle Harbor and Houghton, serving in the capacity of bookkeeper and general manager. While thus employed he also acted as Township Clerk for one term and was Village Recorder of Eagle Harbor for one term. He remained with Foley Brothers for seven years—a trusted and faithful employee, laboring for the interests of the firm with which he was connected and thereby promoting his own fortunes. It was in these various lines of labor that he acquired the capital with which to engage in business for himself.
In 1872 Mr. Penberthy embarked in merchandising at L’Anse under the firm name of Penberthy & Brennan. That connection was continued until the fall of 1879, when he sold out to his partner and returned to Houghton. He also acted as Village Recorder, and was recognized as one of its leading citizens. On his return to this city he was employed as clerk in the Houghton office of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company, with which he continued for two years, when, in September, 1881, he was offered and accepted a position with the Lake Superior Native Copper Works, in the capacity of bookkeeper and business manager. While discharging the responsible duties of that position he was elected secretare and treasurer of the Wolverine Mining Company (which he had aided in organizing), and served in that capacity until 1884, when the business was closed. Through the two succeeding years, Mr. Penberthy was engaged in the commission business, and in 1886 was appointed by President Cleveland as Postmaster of Houghton, holding the office for four years. In the meantime he formed a partnership with his brother, S. T. Penberthy, in general merchandising at South Lake Linden, and the business was carried on five years; but, not finding it very profitable, they sold out to N. Reding. In June, 1893, [he] became connected with the Lake Superior Soap Company, and handles their entire output of the celebrated Ingot soap. He is also a stockholder in the company. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Penberthy owns considerable real estate in Houghton, and derives a good income from these properties.
On the 11th of October, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of [Mr. Penberthy] and Miss Ellen M. McKernan, a daughter of Hon. John Q. McKernan. Their family now numbers four sons and a daughter—John E., Emma J., Grover C., Stanley J. and Philip R. They attend the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Penberthy is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
[Edward] was about thirteen years of age when with his parents he came to the New World. The greater part of his education was obtained in the national schools of his native land, but he supplemented his studies to some extent by attending night school. Immediately after locating at Cliff mine, he began to earn his own living by working in the stamp mills at that place, and at the age of seventeen he secured a clerkship in the company’s store, where he remained for a year. He then accepted a position as engineer, or move properly engine driver, and this position gave him more time for study, as his day of labor covered only eight hours. After being thus employed for two years, he returned to the store, where he remained for two years, and then, severing his connection with the Cliff mine, he accepted a position with Brockway & Perry at Copper Harbor, as sales clerk. While in their employ he was offered a position as school-teacher at Eagle River, continuing his labors in that line for two years. At the same time he was also employed as bookkeeper for the Humbolt Mining Company.
On leaving Eagle River, Mr. Penberthy accepted the position with Foley Brothers & Company, general merchants at Eagle Harbor and Houghton, serving in the capacity of bookkeeper and general manager. While thus employed he also acted as Township Clerk for one term and was Village Recorder of Eagle Harbor for one term. He remained with Foley Brothers for seven years—a trusted and faithful employee, laboring for the interests of the firm with which he was connected and thereby promoting his own fortunes. It was in these various lines of labor that he acquired the capital with which to engage in business for himself.
In 1872 Mr. Penberthy embarked in merchandising at L’Anse under the firm name of Penberthy & Brennan. That connection was continued until the fall of 1879, when he sold out to his partner and returned to Houghton. He also acted as Village Recorder, and was recognized as one of its leading citizens. On his return to this city he was employed as clerk in the Houghton office of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company, with which he continued for two years, when, in September, 1881, he was offered and accepted a position with the Lake Superior Native Copper Works, in the capacity of bookkeeper and business manager. While discharging the responsible duties of that position he was elected secretare and treasurer of the Wolverine Mining Company (which he had aided in organizing), and served in that capacity until 1884, when the business was closed. Through the two succeeding years, Mr. Penberthy was engaged in the commission business, and in 1886 was appointed by President Cleveland as Postmaster of Houghton, holding the office for four years. In the meantime he formed a partnership with his brother, S. T. Penberthy, in general merchandising at South Lake Linden, and the business was carried on five years; but, not finding it very profitable, they sold out to N. Reding. In June, 1893, [he] became connected with the Lake Superior Soap Company, and handles their entire output of the celebrated Ingot soap. He is also a stockholder in the company. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Penberthy owns considerable real estate in Houghton, and derives a good income from these properties.
On the 11th of October, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of [Mr. Penberthy] and Miss Ellen M. McKernan, a daughter of Hon. John Q. McKernan. Their family now numbers four sons and a daughter—John E., Emma J., Grover C., Stanley J. and Philip R. They attend the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Penberthy is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
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