I have no idea why he was clean shaven. Able Penfield started his working career as an apprentice in the clothier's trade. In 1820 he moved to Pittsford, Vermont and bought a share in the Pittsford Manufacturing Company. He and his brothers ran a woolen mill and a grist mill. He eventually took over the grist mill entirely. In 1836 he turned to farming. The only ancestor of mine who I know about who wore a beard was my great grandfather. He and his 3 sons owned and ran a large farm (Ridgeview Stock Ranch) in western Iowa. I still have his "mustache" tea cup.
