Penner, Abraham (1849-1940)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1940 Nov 26 p. 14

Birth date: 1849

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Nov 20 p. 1

Aged Abram Penner Laid to Resting Place At Mt. Lake, Minn.

WAS TOWN'S FIRST MAYOR; TOURED AROUND THE WORLD VISITED SON IN INDIA IN 1905

The funeral services for Abram Penner, 91 year old resident of Mt. Lake, Minn., were held there Saturday afternoon, Nov. 9, at the Bethel Mennonite church. Mr. Penner became widely known in circles outside his won community through his long and active life. He is the father of Missionary P. A. Penner of India.

The Mt. Lake Observer gives the following brief review of Mr. Penner's interesting life:

Funeral services for Abram Penner, 91, who died at his home early Wednesday morning of last week, were held from the Bethel church Saturday afternoon.

A pioneer merchant of Mountain Lake, Mr. Penner came here in 1875. He was accompanied by his wife and his parents.

He established a business and became active in all of the affairs of the town of Mountain Lake. He was one of the men who were active in the incorporation of Mountain Lake as a village and served as the new town's first mayor. He held all other town offices at some time or other as well as being a member of the school board and very active in the affairs of the Bethel church.

With all of his activities, he found time to pursue other lines of endeavor as well. He was keenly interested in transportation and was a great traveler. In 1889 he took his family on a tour of Europe, visiting relatives in their former Crimean home. In 1905, Mr. Penner circled the globe, going via India, where he visited his oldest son, Peter A., a missionary there.

A lover of trees, Mr. and Mrs. Penner planted most of the large trees that now grace Mountain Lake's village park.

Active almost until the day of his death, his erect, white-bearded figure was a familiar sight on Mountain Lake streets. He was so punctual in his daily life and habits that one could almost set one's watch by his appearance.

The Mennonite obituary: 1940 Dec 3 p. 7