My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS M. PENSION, superintendent of the Meadowbrook farms, belonging to the Thomas Wanamaker estate, and comprising more than a thousand acres, is a native of the Isle of Jersey, England, one of the Channel islands. He was born February 14, 1859, a son of Thomas and Mary (Greeley) Pension, natives of county Waterford, Ireland. Thomas Pension (father) died November 17, 1900, and his remains were interred in the Mt. Moriah cemetery, Isle of Jersey. He was survived by his wife, who still resides on the Isle of Jersey.

Thomas M. Pension was educated in the First National School, Isle of Jersey. On attaining years of manhood he was employed for a time in butchering and farming, but subsequently engaged in the pursuit of a mariner, in which capacity he made twenty-one voyages across the Atlantic ocean. In 1880 he located in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and was appointed head herdsman for the care of imported Jersey cattle, which position he filled for a period of ten years. During this time he was frequently called upon to act in the capacity of judge at county and other fairs, his thorough knowledge of cattle enabling him to discriminate as to the value of different breeds and to determine which of a number of competitors for prizes was entitled to receive it. During the following four years he was head herdsman and farmer at the Cloverdell Stock Farms of A. H. Moore, at Colmar, Montgomery county, on the North Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1904 he entered upon his present position as superintendent of the Meadowbrook farms, and the excellent appearance of the estate bears ample testimony to his competency and capability. His business career has borne unmistakable evidence of ability, natural and acquired, and the reliable manner in which he performs his duties has been a potent factor in the large degree of prosperity which has attended his well directed efforts. He is a man of progressive instincts, quick to adopt new methods of proved utility, and as a good citizen and an upright man he bears an enviable record.

At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1891, by the Rev. Father Gallagher, Mr. Pension was married to Delia Cooney, who was born March 30, 1870, in county Galway, Ireland, a daughter of John and Hannah (Hynes) Cooney. The issue of this union was five children: Mary Ellen, born February 7, 1892, died at the age of three weeks; Alice Marie, born April 9, 1893; Thomas John, born November 25, 1894; Anna M., born August 15, 1896; and John William, born February 1, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Pension are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. They and their children attend the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. The family are highly respected in the community in which they reside.