A close senatorial contest last fall in the Tama and Benton county district, re-elected Senator Emlen G. Penrose. This is his second term in the senate, and his re-election speaks well for the ability with which he served his constituents. He is a native of Ohio, born in Chesterfield, Morgan county, August 22, 1844. He has lived in this state thirty-seven years. He was married to Miss Jennie E. Stoddard, March 10, 1870. They have one son, Frank B., born in 1871. Senator Penrose is a member of no church, but attends and contributes to the Methodist. He is a member of the Masonic and K. P. lodges. His ancestors were of the Quaker faith, having come to this country in company with William Penn. Senator Penrose's early days were spent on the farm in Ohio, and his education was obtained in the common schools. In 1860 he came with his parents to Keokuk county, and in 1868 he located in Tama, which has ever since been his home, with the exception of three years when he was engaged in the hardware business in Grand Junction, in Greene county. Before his first removal to Tama he was educationally benefited by a course of study in the State university. In Tama he has been honored with the offices of mayor three terms, member of the city council several terms, and president of the school board. He is a successful business man, as well as a popular politician. He was elected to the senate in 1893, and by his fairness in all matters won many friends, both among his colleagues and the people of the state. His greatest ability is in committee work, as he makes no pretensions to oratory. Last session he was chairman of one of the most important committees, especially so in the code revision of the extra session, that of railways. He did his work honestly, and to the satisfaction of all. He acted on the committees on ways and means, public health, educational institutions, compensation of public officers, charitable institutions, and claims.

A close senatorial contest last fall in the Tama and Benton county district, re-elected Senator Emlen G. Penrose. This is his second term in the senate, and his re-election speaks well for the ability with which he served his constituents. He is a native of Ohio, born in Chesterfield, Morgan county, August 22, 1844. He has lived in this state thirty-seven years. He was married to Miss Jennie E. Stoddard, March 10, 1870. They have one son, Frank B., born in 1871. Senator Penrose is a member of no church, but attends and contributes to the Methodist. He is a member of the Masonic and K. P. lodges. His ancestors were of the Quaker faith, having come to this country in company with William Penn. Senator Penrose's early days were spent on the farm in Ohio, and his education was obtained in the common schools. In 1860 he came with his parents to Keokuk county, and in 1868 he located in Tama, which has ever since been his home, with the exception of three years when he was engaged in the hardware business in Grand Junction, in Greene county. Before his first removal to Tama he was educationally benefited by a course of study in the State university. In Tama he has been honored with the offices of mayor three terms, member of the city council several terms, and president of the school board. He is a successful business man, as well as a popular politician. He was elected to the senate in 1893, and by his fairness in all matters won many friends, both among his colleagues and the people of the state. His greatest ability is in committee work, as he makes no pretensions to oratory. Last session he was chairman of one of the most important committees, especially so in the code revision of the extra session, that of railways. He did his work honestly, and to the satisfaction of all. He acted on the committees on ways and means, public health, educational institutions, compensation of public officers, charitable institutions, and claims.

Born in Chesterfield, Morgan county, Ohio, August 22, 1844. Genuine Quaker blood flows in his veins, for his ancestors came to this country with William Penn on his first voyage. The days of his boyhood he spent in his native state, on a farm, where he received a common school education and did such reading as he could in those days when books and current literature were scarce. In 1860 he removed with his parents to Keokuk county, Iowa, and has ever since been a resident of this state. After a short time at the State University he commenced the battle of life alone. In 1868 he came to Tama, Iowa, and for a short time worked as clerk in a store, but in 1869 he removed to Grand Junction, going into the hardware business under the name of Park & Penrose. In 1872 he returned to Tama and engaged in the same line there. By close attention to business, genial and accommodating manners, strict integrity and fair dealing he has not only made for himself a comfortable .competence but won the esteem and friendship of all that know him. He has several times been mayor of Tama, and has frequently been a member of the school board. In secret society circles he has identified himself with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. In 1893 in the election he ran 100 votes ahead of the ticket in his own town and increased the majority in all southern Tama, where he is well known. During his first session as Senator he gained many friends and no enemies, for his conduct was always courteous to the other members, whether they were party associates or not. In the committees his good business judgment was a valuable aid in facilitating legislation. In the last Senate he was a member of the committees on cities and towns, corporations, railways, insurance, commerce, educational institutions and charitable institutions. Senator Penrose was married in 1870 to Miss Jennie E. Stoddard and they have one son.

Born in Chesterfield, Morgan county, Ohio, August 22, 1844. Genuine Quaker blood flows in his veins, for his ancestors came to this country with William Penn on his first voyage. The days of his boyhood he spent in his native state, on a farm, where he received a common school education and did such reading as he could in those days when books and current literature were scarce. In 1860 he removed with his parents to Keokuk county, Iowa, and has ever since been a resident of this state. After a short time at the State University he commenced the battle of life alone. In 1868 he came to Tama, Iowa, and for a short time worked as clerk in a store, but in 1869 he removed to Grand Junction, going into the hardware business under the name of Park & Penrose. In 1872 he returned to Tama and engaged in the same line there. By close attention to business, genial and accommodating manners, strict integrity and fair dealing he has not only made for himself a comfortable .competence but won the esteem and friendship of all that know him. He has several times been mayor of Tama, and has frequently been a member of the school board. In secret society circles he has identified himself with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. In 1893 in the election he ran 100 votes ahead of the ticket in his own town and increased the majority in all southern Tama, where he is well known. During his first session as Senator he gained many friends and no enemies, for his conduct was always courteous to the other members, whether they were party associates or not. In the committees his good business judgment was a valuable aid in facilitating legislation. In the last Senate he was a member of the committees on cities and towns, corporations, railways, insurance, commerce, educational institutions and charitable institutions. Senator Penrose was married in 1870 to Miss Jennie E. Stoddard and they have one son.