Matthias J. Pennypacker

Matthias J. Pennypacker was born on September 10, 1819, at Pennypacker's Mill in Schuylkill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, to Sarah (née Anderson) and Matthias Pennypacker. His father was a farmer and miller and operated a sawmill. His father also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was a member of the constitutional convention. His ancestors changed their surname from Pfannebecker to Pennypacker after immigrating to America.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/biographicalport00garn/page/640/mode/2up |title=Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Comprising A Historical Sketch of the County |year=1893 |last=Wiley |first=Samuel T. |editor-last=Garner |editor-first=Winfield Scott |publisher=Gresham Publishing Company |pages=640–643 |via=Archive.org |access-date=2023-11-10}}{{Open access}} Pennypacker studied at the school of Joshua Hoopes in West Chester. He studied medicine and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1841.

After graduating, Pennypacker practiced medicine in Philadelphia for a time before moving back to Chester County and practicing medicine there. He then worked as an assistant superintendent and manager of the Phoenixville Iron Works for two years. In 1849, he became a superintendent at Durham Iron Works in Durham Township in Bucks County. He worked there for one year before resigning due to poor health. He then returned to Chester County and purchased a farm and worked the land. He owned a {{convert|176|acre}} farm and a grist mill.

Pennypacker was a Republican. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County in 1855.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/chestercountyits00thoms/page/440/mode/2up |title=Chester County and Its People |editor-last=Thomson |editor-first=W. W. |year=1898 |publisher=The Union History Company |page=440 |via=Archive.org |access-date=2023-11-10}}{{Open access}}

Pennypacker married Annie R. Walker, daughter of William Walker, of Tredyffrin Township on April 27, 1848. They had five sons and four daughters, including William H., Matthias A., Sarah, Mary Athalia, Isaac A. and Annie W. His wife died in 1868. In 1878, he married Kate A. Cook, daughter of Tillinghast J. Cook, of Parkersburg, West Virginia. They had one son, James C.{{cite book|last=Jordan|first=John W.|title=Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania|year=1978|publisher=Genealogical Publishing Company|url={{Google books|arAfWBsvO1gC|page=485|plainurl=yes}}|pages=485–488|isbn=0-8063-0811-7|access-date=2023-11-10}} He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Phoenixville. His nephew was Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker.

Pennypacker died on August 31, 1899, at his home in Schuylkill Township. He was buried at Morris Cemetery.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-dr-pennypacke/134953881/ |title=Dr. Pennypacker Dead |date=1899-09-01 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-11-10}}{{Open access}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-pennypacker-2/134954039/ |title=Pennypacker |date=1899-09-02 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-11-10}}{{Open access}}

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Category:1819 births

Category:1899 deaths

Category:Politicians from Chester County, Pennsylvania

Category:Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania alumni

Category:Republican Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Category:19th-century American farmers

Category:19th-century American physicians

Category:19th-century members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly