From "History of Wabasha County" (Minnesota) published 1884

Orrin Pencille, blacksmith, Zumbro, son of John and Fanny (Jackson) Pencille, was born in Waterloo, province of Ontario, May 28, 1833. His parents were born, reared and died in the same locality. Up till nine years of age he remained with his family on the farm, and was then apprenticed for twelve years to a blacksmith at Kingston. He had opportunity for limited common school training before and during his apprenticeship. His preceptor was a very severe man, and discharged him at the end of nine years. The cause of this action was young Pencille's interference to rescue a favorite son of his employer from the latter's inhuman flogging for a fancied offense. Pencille at once bought a shop, four miles away, on credit, and at the end of six months had his shop and tools clear, and from that time has followed the calling. He came to Lake City from Canada, in May, 1855, and built a shop at Central Point. In the fall of the same year he took up his residence on a claim on section 13, which he held over two years, and then sold. Built and operated a shop at Zumbro Falls, which was carried away by the flood of 1859. July 19, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Dennison, who was born in Floyd, New York, daughter of Alonzo and Mary (Knox) Dennison. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Pencille is a consistent republican. Has always been active in sustaining and managing the public schools. For the last eighteen years he has dwelt on section 25, where he has operated a blacksmith-shop. He now has two hundred and eighty acres of land in this town, of which one hundred and fifty are under cultivation. Besides this, himself and son are holding half a section of land in Bigstone county under the United States tree culture laws. The family includes five children, two having died in early childhood. The third, Ida M., married Frank Fisher and resides at Castleton, Dakota. The others are at home, their names in order being as follows: William D., Anna L., Grace E., and Kate A. All the family is gifted with musical faculties. In early years Mr. Pencille taught singing schools in the town, and is now considerably engaged in the sale of organs and other musical instruments.