Alexander Penn was born around 1844 to 1845 in Virginia. There is very little knowledge of his birth and his life prior to the United States Army. When he enlisted is not documented, but he did serve during the Civil War for the Union Army. 

During his time in the military, he worked as a blacksmith. Penn was part of the 9th cavalry in Company B. He was also in the 21st Infantry in Company C. When he was serving for the 9th Cavalry, his commander was Colonel Edward Hatch. Around December 1877- February 1878, Penn served at the St. Louis Barracks in Missouri. He was discharged from the Army on the 15th of February in 1878 for a disability. 

After his service, in 1896, he lived in Los Angeles, California and worked as a boot maker. He shined shoes and made them look clean up until his death in 1911. In 1910, he rented a home in Santa Barbara, California. On June 11th, 1911, Alexander Penn passed away in Los Angeles, California. 

This biography was researched and written by students as part of the Digital Veterans Legacy Project at Loyola Marymount University, funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cemetery Administration. 

ALEXANDER PENN

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