Ebenezer J. Penniman

Born in Lansingburgh, New York, Penniman attended the common schools and was apprenticed as a printer at the age of thirteen in the office of the New Hampshire Sentinel. When he was eighteen years of age, he bought his indenture and moved to New York City in 1822 to pursue a career in the mercantile business.[1]

Later, Penniman moved to Orwell, Vermont, where he engaged in business as a dry-goods merchant. In 1840, he moved to Plymouth, Michigan and again engaged as a dry-goods merchant. He also served as supervisor of Plymouth Township in 1842, 1843, 1844, and 1850.

In 1850, Penniman defeated incumbent Democrat Alexander W. Buel to be elected as a Whig from Michigan's 1st congressional district to the Thirty-second Congress, serving from March 4, 1851 to March 3, 1853.[2] He was the first Plymouth citizen elected to the United States Congress.[3] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1852. He was a member of the convention that met under the oaks at Jackson, Michigan, July 6, 1854, at the organization of the Republican Party in Michigan. He was a delegate to 1856 Republican National Convention from Michigan.

Penniman resumed mercantile pursuits until the First National Bank of Plymouth was organized in November 1871, and he, at the age of 67, was named president.[4]

Penniman died in Plymouth, Wayne County, Michigan, on April 12, 1890 (age 86 years, 91 days). He is interred at Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth, Michigan.

The son of Chiron and Olive Whipple Penniman, he married Maryette and they had two children, Mary and Julius A. Maryette died in 1843 and he then married Eliza Connor with whom he had three children, Maryette, Ebenezer Julius, and Katrine E.

• United States Congress. "Ebenezer J. Penniman (id: P000212)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Political Graveyard

• Ebenezer J. Penniman at Find a Grave