The Daily Register Gazette, 10 December 1896
(Illinois)

MR. PENROSE DEAD
WELL KNOWN EXPRESSMAN PASSES AWAY TODAY
His Death Occurs This Afternoon and Is a Result of a General Breaking Down of the System—Died on His Birthday.
Richard Penrose, the well known expressman, passed away this afternoon at 1 o’clock at his home, 812 George street, by a strange coincidence his death occurring on his birthday, this being the 72d anniversary of the day of his birth. Mr. Penrose had been ill about two months, suffering from a general breaking down of the system, due to old age. His family realized for some time past that he could not survive long, and the blow of his death was not unexpected, although it will be not the less hard to bear on the part of those who surrounded him.
Mr. Penrose was born December 10, 1824, in Cornwall, England, and came to America in 1847. He resided a short time in the east, being married in New Jersey to Miss Mary Dennis in 1849. He then moved to Mineral Point, Wis., where he resided some years. By his first wife he had two children, Mrs. W. A. Webb and R. T. Penrose of this city. His first wife died in 1862, and in 1863 he was married at Mineral Point to Miss Ellen James, who survives him. By his second wife he had two children, Fred W. Penrose of Indiana and John J. Penrose of Kansas.
Mr. Penrose came to this city in 1881 and since that time he has been engaged in the express business here, not retiring from active work until a very short time before his fatal illness. He was widely known and well liked, and his death will cause sorrow among many friends. He was a member of Grace M. E. church of this city, and was an earnest christian gentleman. He belonged to the lodge of Odd Fellows at Mineral Point and was in good standing in the order.
The arrangements for the funeral have not been made as yet, but is was the request of Mr. Penrose that no flowers be sent.

Contributed by Bob Bolitho