Life Story Of Edward Penman
I was born at West Weber the 25 June 1888, to James
Penman and Barbara Colville. I grew up there and was
baptized by Nathan Hawkes July 5, 1894 and confirmed
by James B. Ririe July 5, 1894. I attended Sunday
School there. I started to school at six years old. My
first teacher was Ammon Green and the names of the
other ones were as follows: Julia Hawkes and Sarah
Hawkes. I graduated from the eighth grade under Joseph
Bidwell. I attended one year after the schools of Weber
County was consolidated.
My first Sunday School teacher was Francis Dance. I
attended Sunday School all my life. When I grew up I
became a teacher.
I had to work very hard on the farm so my social life was
limited, as we didn’t get much chance for recreation. I
joined the M.I.A. when a young man and enjoyed it. I
was ordained an Elder by Wheatley Gibson the 4th of March 1907 and attended that class.
I was chosen second counselor in the Elders Quorum to work with Brother Mcfarland. I
was called to labor as second assistant superintendent in the Sunday School of West
Weber.
I married Ida Mary Jones of Hooper, December 22, 1909 in Salt Lake City in the temple.
I built a three-room house in West Weber and farmed for a living. My brother Henry was
called on a mission to the North Western States. I rented his farm and milked his cows
and tried to be a brother to his wife and children, looking after them the best I could. I
was called often to administer to her children and it brought us very close to one another.
I was called as President of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association and I did
enjoy my labors with the young folks very much.
I needed more land as my family was growing up and I decided to buy a farm of 52 acres
in Hooper—my wife’s fathers home.
I was called to work in the Genealogical work under Brother Frank Belnap. My wife and
I had charge of the Junior Baptism work. I was later chosen secretary of the High Priest
class. Martin P. Brown ordained me a High Priest the 20th of April 1930. After a few
years I was called to labor on the Genealogical Committee of the Weber Stake board.
Shortly after this I was called as second counselor to Brother Maben B Fox on the 12 th of
May 1935. I enjoyed working with Brother Fox and Brother Hadlock very much as we
Edward Penman continued were united. We surely enjoyed the temple work. Soon after I
was called on a mission to the Southern States on the 6th of February 1936. I was set apart
by Brother Adams S. Bernnion.
The weather was very cold being sixteen below zero and the wind was blowing a gale.
The train was two hours late when we arrived at Omaha. I arrived at Nashville at one
o’clock. We arrived at Atlanta, Georgia at 7:30. We were met by two Elders and taken
to the mission home. I received my appointment to labor in South Georgia. I was
assigned to labor with Elder Gordon Nielsen. I enjoyed my labors with Elder Nielsen
very much, as he was a fine man. On April 19, 1936, I was called to go to Axon to speak
to a Sacrament Meeting. On returning home, we were hit by a drunken man in a large
truck. Our car was tipped over rolling on its side. I was injured quite badly in my neck
and shoulders. I suffered a lot of pain in my neck and had to have a doctor to get some
rest. Since coming home I have had to have treatments. Sister Bennett who was with us
was cut and shook up.
After coming home, I was set apart as second counselor to Brother Hyrum Jones in the
Ward Genealogical Committee. I labored that winter and the next summer, and in
November I was chosen as second counselor to Bishop John D. Hooper. I was set apart
by President David O. Mckay on the 9th of January 1938. That being the first stake
conference since I had been called to that position that any of the Apostles had been to. I
worked with him and Brother Jessie W. Fowers till the next June and Bishop Hooper was
released.
Then I was called as first counselor to Bishop J. Levi Beus on June 9, 1938. I was set
apart by Elder Reed Smoot and February 1946 was chosen as alternate High Counsel of
the Lake View Stake was later chosen as High Counselor and Stake Genealogical
Chairman.
In 1946, I went to work as Superintendent of the Weber County Infirmary at Roy, Utah. I
really enjoyed my work with the old people. While working there I received an arm
injury.
Edward Penman died from this November 1, 1949, in an Ogden Hospital and was buried
at Hooper, Utah in the family plot November 5, 1949.
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