Born on a farm in Des Moines County, February 22, 1847. He was reared and educated in the common schools of this county. Being the youngest of the family he remained with his parents until his marriage with Miss Irene Hixson, which occurred September 28, 1881. Mrs. Penney is a native of this county, and is a daughter of Leroy Hixson. Mr. and Mrs. Penney are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is Treasurer. Politically he is a Democrat, and was elected by that party a member of the Twenty-first General Assembly in 1886. He was a candidate for County Recorder in 1880, but was defeated. Mr. Penney is a practical farmer and operates about 300 acres of land. He makes a specialty of raising small fruits, taking great interest in studying the habits of the plants, and every year ships several thousand quarts of berries to the North. Everything on his land denotes thrift and industry, and as a business man and citizen he receives the respect of all.