Thomas Penson, Civil War Vet Passes Away – March 1920

Thomas Penson's grave in Brownhelm Cemetery

By 1920, the Civil War had been over for 55 years. Consequently, veterans of that war were becoming scarcer, and passing away at an alarming rate. The deaths of these solders who fought to preserve the union often made the front page of their local newspapers.

The Lorain Journal was no different, and featured many of these brave men and capsule summaries of their war record.

I feature them here on the blog as I find them, since as a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, I share the view of that organization that with the passing years, these men and their legacy are in grave danger of being forgotten.

Below is the report of the death of Thomas Penson that appeared on the front page of the Lorain Times-Herald on March 2, 1920. It notes, "Thomas Penson, 85, Civil War veteran and former resident of Brownhelm, died yesterday at the soldiers home in Sandusky.

"Mr. Penson, who was a native of Lincolnshire, England, came to the United States when 14 years of age and became a resident of Brownhelm Township. During the Civil War he served in the 103 Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He is survived by the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Jerry Brown, Brownhelm; Weston Penson, Lakewood; Charles Penson, East [illegible]-st, Lorain; Leva Penson, 1831 Reid-av, Lorain.

"The body was brought to Lorain last night and taken to the home of Leva Penson from where the funeral services will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock. Burial will be made in the family lot in Brownhelm cemetery."

Here is a report of his death from what I presume is a Sandusky newspaper.

It's interesting that Penson served with the 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, well-known for its one-of-a-kind compound in Sheffield Lake. His record as listed in my copy of Personal Reminisces and Experiences By Members of the One Hundred and Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry lists him as entering the service on August 6, 1862 in Company F; appointed Corporal Jan. 1, 1863; reduced to Private Oct. 1, 1863; and mustered out with company June 12, 1865.

Here is the link to his Find-A-Grave memorial.