Known biographical Information
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatamie Counties, Kansas - Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. 1890 - by Chapman Bros." (Article is verbatim) John R. PendroyJohn R. Pendroy, proprietor of the Stark Hotel at Perryville, has been a resident of Kansas for a period of twenty-two years. He was born in Greene County Ohio on the 22nd of December, 1837, to Ellis and Mary Pendroy, ((Author Note: Although just called "Ellis Pendroy" in this article, the known evidence is that the full correct name was "William Ellis Pendroy")) is the former of whom was born in the same county as his son, and the latter born in Tennessee. The paternal grandfather was a native of Kentucky, and of Irish descent. Ellis Pendroy spent his entire life in his native state, dying when his son John R., was an infant. The mother survived her husband until 1861, passing away at the age of fifty years. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There had been born to them four children, the eldest of whom, a son, Eli, died at the age of 40 years, in Indiana; James Lewis resides on a farm near Lafayette, that state; Joseph died in Lafayette when thirty-five years old; John R. was the youngest child.
Mr. Pendroy, until a youth of 16 years, remained under the parental roof attending the district school and assisting his mother on the farm. Then starting out for himself, he engaged as a farm laborer in Ohio for three years, and later to Indiana, engaging in Tippecanoe County as a farm laborer for two seasons. We next find him west of the Mississippi in Leavenworth, this State, to which he came in 1860, during its Territorial days.
A few weeks after his arrival here he joined a band of men bound for Denver, Colo., crossing the plains in twenty-seven days. He engaged in mining in that region until September, 1862.
Then deciding to join the Union Army, he enlisted in the 3d Colorado Infantry, serving until June, 1865, after the close of the war. He saw some hard service at one time, marching on foot from Montgomery, Colo., to Ft. Leavenworth, a distance of 738 miles.
Then he went with his regiment through Missouri to Iron Mountain, where they camped for a time, and were then ordered to St. Louis, Mo. At that point they were consolidated with the 2d Colorado Regiment, and mounted as cavalry, going thence to Sedalia, Mo., and engaged in scouting.
Mr. Pendroy subsequently joined in pursuit after the Rebel General, Price, and participated in the battles of Lexington, Big Blue, Westport, Mine Creek and Newtonia, and followed Price to the Arkansas River, and on the return march went up through the Cherokee Nation. They were short of provisions, having for ten days nothing to eat except beef, which they obtained along the route. Upon reaching Ft. Scott, they obtained provisions.
From there they proceeded to Ft. Leavenworth, where they remained several weeks, and then the regiment was ordered to Ft. Riley, and a month later to Ft. Ellsworth, in the pursuit of Indians. Next they went to Ft. Larned, where they remained for some time engaged in scouting until they received their discharge June 9, 1865.
After retiring from the service, Mr. Pendroy repaired to Atchison, and was given the position of foreman of public works, under James Auld, remaining there one year. Next, coming to Jefferson County, he located at Perry, where he was variously occupied a few months, and purchasing a grocery store, conducted this three years. Later, he engaged with the Union Pacific Railroad Company as a foreman, which position he still holds in connection with running his hotel.
Mr. Pendroy was married at Perry in1868, to Miss Josephine M. Terrell. This lady was born in Iroquois County, Ill. Feb. 4, 1850, and is the daughter of the Rev. Josiah Terrell, a pioneer minister of Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. Of this union there have been born three children, the eldest of whom Mary Capitoli is an accomplished musician, having a certificate from Bethany College at Topeka; Jessie died at the age of nine years; and Anna Moore. Mary and Anna are at home with their parents.
Mrs. Pendroy is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and zealously devoted to her religious duties; also a prominent member of the Women's relief Corps of the G.A.R.., a delegate to the national Convention at Columbus, Ohio, in 1888, and was for two years President of that society in Perry. At present she is a member of the Council of Administration. Mr. Pendroy, politically is a sound Republican, prominent in the councils of his party, and is a member in good standing of the G.A.R.
He was for ten years a member of the City Council at Perry. His real estate in town consists of six acres, which is laid out in town lots.
Author Note: A special "THANKS" to Dan in Gladstone for providing the copy of the above biography of John R. Pendroy. Dan stated that John R. and Josephine were last known to have lived in Los Angeles.
In addition the following information was provided by Dan that he obtained from the Jefferson County Kansas Genealogical Society at box 174, Oskaloosa, KS 66066
Obituary
Mrs. Minnie Fauble Pendroy died at Spokane, Wash, Thursday, February 10, 1910. Born June 2, 1866; aged 43 years, 7 months, 13 days.
Mrs. Pendroy was well known in Perry, having spent her girlhood days here. She leaves a husband and four sons to mourn her departure from this world. She has three sisters, two in Emporia and one in Wichita, Mrs. Rohrabaugh, who attended the funeral; also an uncle from Edwardsville, besides other relatives and friends who came to Perry to pay a last tribute to her memory.
The funeral services were held at the M.E. Church, Rev. D.A. Shutt having charge. Burial took place in the Oak Ridge Cemetery. Mr. Burke had charge of the burial. (Perry Mirror, 17 February 1910, Thursday, page 5, column 3)
Little Jessie Pendroy, after a severe illness of brain fever, died at 10:00, Monday evening. Verily God calls home his favorite ones early. Rev. Williamson preached the funeral sermon in the Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM Tuesday. Every one extends sympathy to the bereaved family, in this sad hour of affliction. (Oskaloosa KS Independent, 20 Dec. 1879, Saturday, page 2, column 2, Kaw Valley Reporter).
(Author note: Jesse Pendroy was the child of John R. and Josephine (Terrell) Pendroy)
Mrs. Minerva Terrell, Widow of Josiah Terrell formerly of Perry, died recently in Colorado. (Perry News, 22 October 1892, Page 1 column 1.)
(Book 2 Page 78) Josiah Terrell, age 63 of Jefferson Co. Kansas married Minerva McBride, age 50, of Jefferson Co. Kansas on 11 March 1868 in Douglas Co. Kansas.
-end-