Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Biography

Preston R. Pennington

From the Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky
Saturday, March 17, 1906

Picture courtesy of Yvonne Schroeden

COUNTY JUDGE OF LAUREL COUNTY

Judge Pennington was born near Booneville, Owsley County, fifty-three years ago, and removed with his father, Capt. John Pennington, when he was quite young to Annville, Jackson County, where he has lived the greater part of his life. His father was one of the first settlers of Jackson County, and was for years prominent in county politics, having held several county offices. His grandfather, Abel Pennington, was one of the pioneer settlers of Eastern Kentucky, and was the first County Judge of Owsley County.

Young Pennington had few opportunities to obtain an education when he was a young man, but took advantage of what he had and secured a fairly good education, which he has improved greatly during his later life. When nineteen years old he married Miss Sarah King of Jackson and has raised a large family. For several years he was a successful farmer and later taught school, and then engaged in the mercantile business. He moved to Laurel County five years ago.

[Preston Roosevelt Pennington was born February 1, 1853 to Captain John Pennington and Sarah "Sallie" Lucy Moore. He married Sarah Catherine King, d/o George Washington King and Tabitha Elizabeth Burchett, on January 2, 1873. They had thirteen children, one died as a child, another as a young, single adult. The names of the children are: Elizabeth Lucretia, 1874-1957; William Allen, 1876-1963; Henry Clay, b. 1878; Telitha Belle, 1880-1955; Susan Angeline, 1882-1959; Tabitha Jane, 1884-1917; George Ervin, 1886-1955; Adona May, 1888-1889; John Elias, b. 1890; Magnolia, b. 1892; Ida Forest, b. 1895; Nancy Minerva, b. 1898; and Herman Jackson, b. 1901.

Preston died May 3, 1925 in London, Laurel County, KY and he and his wife, Sarah, are buried in the A.R. Dyche Memorial Park cemetery in London, Kentucky.]

Transcribed by Betty Thomas Finger