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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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W. D. PENNER, grocer, Bloomington; was born in Prussia, May 20, 1837; during his early life he obtained a good education, and began in mercantile life when but 14 years of age in the capacity of a dry goods clerk; remaining in Elbing and Koenigsberg some five years, he came to this country in 1856, locating in Detroit, where he remained for a time; thence to Chicago; he came to Bloomington in 1858, and engaged with Humphreys & Co., grocers; he next removed to Alexandria, La., and, previous to the late war, was appointed Steward of the Military Academy; he returned to Bloomington in 1865, and engaged in the grocery business; his store is at No. 120 S. Center street; here he keeps a first-class grocery. He married Miss Anna Stoeckigt, March 31, 1859; they have a family of seven.
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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879. View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois
View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies
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