John Penn affords a further illustration of the natural power of mind rising in triumph over the deficiencies of education and marching perseveringly towards honors and distinction.  Penn was born poor and his education was sadly defective.  Although the veil of oblivion is thrown over the particulars of his life and but little exists for the biographer, it is known he became a lawyer and soldier.  He served his State faithfully in Congress, but after the war, when North Carolina refused to help maintain the Union with taxes, Penn resigned and declined to act further for his state.