Butler County Genealogy Trails Kansas Tim Penwell Bio

BUTLER COUNTY'S EIGHTY YEARS BIOS

TIM PENWELL

(Transcribed by Lori DeWinkler)

Tim Penwell lies dead today—and the town somehow seems desolate. Every day he passed in front of our windows on his way to the post office, and always there came from him a cheery word or a friendly wave in greeting. He had the vigorous, self-assured stride of a man of purpose; there was strength and dignity and manhood in his bearing. He looked the world squarely in the face from keen gray eyes that sparkled with friendliness and understanding. There was enough Irish in his make-up both to sweeten his nature and to sharpen an intellect strong and alert. Occasionally we received notes from him commenting upon some passing issue. They were short and snappy and pungent, carefully typed upon his letter head and boldly signed, but there was never a sting in any of them. Tim Penwell had been through the mill—as the saying goes—he had seen hard work and plenty of it, he had endured rough experiences, he was without illusions as to the world’s shallowness and insincerity, but he held no bitterness. He had come through it all with his colors flying proudly, his ideals undimmed and his manhood unsullied.

A splendid type of manhood was Tim Penwell, practical, conservative and sound. He was true to his beliefs, and filled with a great love for his fellows. He was one of the best workers on the townsite when it came to leaving one’s business and going out to plod for some worthy cause. No appeal to Tim Penwell’s great, generous heart ever came back unanswered.