[2] He moved with his family to St. Louis, Missouri, when his father was assigned as commissioner of the Louisiana Territory by President Thomas Jefferson.

[2][4] Penrose was a key figure during the Buckshot War of 1838, when both the Whig and Democratic parties claimed control over the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

[5] Penrose certified the Whig results from Philadelphia for the Senate which prompted Charles Brown, one of the rejected candidates, to request to speak.

A crowd of hundreds armed with bowie knives and pistols were in attendance to support the Democratic side.

Penrose, Thaddeus Stevens and Secretary of Commonwealth Thomas H. Burrowes fled the Capitol through a window in the back of the Senate chambers to escape the mob.

[6] Governor Joseph Ritner declared a rebellion[7] and Pennsylvania State Milita General Robert Patterson came to Harrisburg with troops to quell any potential violence.

[10] Penrose died of pneumonia[10] in Harrisburg on April 6, 1857,[13] and was interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.