JESSE PENNINGTON, farmer, P.O. Johnsonville, was born in Monroe County, Ky., March 18, 1823, to Jesse and Elizabeth (Penley) Pennington, natives of South Carolina.  From Kentucky they emigrated to White County, Ill, in 1827, where they died.  In spring of 1847, our subject came to Wayne County, Ill., and for a few years followed farming; he then engaged in sawmilling, and followed that occupation for about twenty-two years.  In 1870, came to his present farm, and has made the improvements on the same.  November 23, 1843, he was married in
White County, Ill., to Elizabeth Widdows, a native of this State, her parents having come from Kentucky at an early date.  Mr. and Mrs. Pennington reared six children to maturity, two sons and four daughters -- John W., who died in 1863 while a soldier in the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Emma J., Nancy E. (deceased), Matilda E., Jesse R. and Mary A.  He is a member of Johnsonville Lodge, A.,F. and A.M.  He and wife are members of Methodist Episcopal Church.  In politics, he is Republican, and has held various offices in the township.