The Bennett Families of Knox County, Ohio

GEORGE SYLVANUS BENNETT.

Dr. George S. Bennett is a native son of this city, and his early education was obtained in its public schools. His paternal grandfather, Sylvanus Bennett, was born on Long Island, but when a young man removed to a farm adjoining the fort of Ticonderoga. He was a gallant soldier during the war of 1812. His father, John Bennett, was killed during the Revolutionary war. He was a resident of Long Island, where the family had been established at a very early date, they having come to America from England in the latter part of the seventeenth century.

Clark Lester Bennett, the father of our subject, resided on his father's farm at Fort Ticonderoga for a number of years, and the property is still owned by members of the family. In 1824 he came to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he became well and favorably known. In an early day he served his locality as a constable and as city marshal. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Bennett those Nancy Jones, the eldest child of James- Jones, who came from Essex county. New York, to Knox county, Ohio, in 1824, where he became a prominent and leading farmer. His death occurred at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Bennett's maternal grandfather, Thomas Patterson, died in Essex county. New York, at the age of one hundred and twenty-four years. Her brother, Lorenzo Jones, was a brave soldier throughout the Texan war. Six children blessed the marriage of Mr. and;\Irs. Bennett, and the brothers of our subject are: Captain Henry P., of Mount Vernon; Murry J., who died in Columbus, Ohio, in 1888, at the age of fifty-five years; and J. Burr, who died at Columbus, Ohio, in 1890, at the age of fifty-one years. The first named. Captain Henry P. Bennett, sen-ed in the Mexican war as a member of the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, while during the Civil war he was first lieutenant of Company B, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantr>% and subsequently promoted to the rank of captain of Company A, of the same regiment. He died in Mount Vernon, November 2. 1901. J. B. Bennett was a member of Company E, Twentieth Ohio Aolunteer Infantry, during that memorable struggle. The daughters of the family were: Elizabeth, who married J. P. Snook, and both he and his wife are now deceased; and Eliza, deceased. She became the wife of B.

A. F. Greer, of Knox county, Ohio. He also offered his services to his country when the trouble arose between the north and the south, becoming a member of the Twentieth Ohio Infantry, and after three years of faithful service he was promoted to the rank of colonel, serving in a regiment in Hancock's Corps. He became very prominent in the public life of this county, and from 1873 until 1875 served as probate judge, and was also a prominent attorney of Mount Vernon. His death occurred in this city in 1880, at the age of forty-six years. The mother of our subject passed away in death m October, 1880, at the age of eighty years, and in the following year her husband joined her in the spirit world, dying at the age of eighty-one years.

George S. Bennett, whose name introduces this review, enlisted for service in the Civil war when eighteen years of age, becoming a member of the Twentieth Ohio Infantry% Company E, with Captain George Rogers in command. After one years' service therein he was made a member of the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Infantry, in which he remained until hostilities had ceased and the country no longer needed his services. After his army career was ended Mr. Bennett took up the study of medicine under Dr. Matthew Thompson, remaining under his able instruction for a time, after which he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve College, of Cleveland, Ohio, in which he was graduated in 1868. After leaving that institution he followed his chosen profession at Chesterville. Morrow county, Ohio, for three years, and then returned to his old home in Mount Vernon, since which time he has been engaged in the livery business. He has met with success in this Hne of trade, and his is one of the best equipped and leading barns of the city. As a result of his straightforward dealing and close attention to his business he is now enjoying a liberal patronage, and he has not only secured a handsome competence but has materially advanced the interests of the community with which he is associated.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Bennett was in her maidenhood Miss Olive Long. Her father, Thomas Long, was a resident of Mount Vernon, but his death occurred many years ago. The family came originally from Pennsylvania. In his social relations Mr. Bennett is a member of Joe Hooker Post, No. 21, G. A. R., of Mount Vernon, in which he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades who wore the blue. In politics, he is a true Republican.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE W. BENNETT.

He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a member of one of the honored old families of Knox county, and he has personally lived up to the full tension of the primitive days when the march of civilization was carried on admirably by the sterling band of settlers from the East, so that there is particular interest attached to his career, while he stands today as one of the representative citizens of the vicinity of Gambier, for his life has been one of hard work, which has resulted in the development of a good farm which he owns and which yields him a comfortable living. While giving his chief attention to his business affairs, as do the majority of men, Mr. Bennett finds time and opportunity to take an interest in matters pertaining to the progress and growth of his county, and to mingle with his friends, enlarging the circle of his acquaintance and broadening his mind through the interchange of thought with others.

Mr. Bennett was born on October 27, 1855, on a farm in Monroe township, one mile north of Gambier, Ohio, and he has been content to spend his life in his native vicinity. He is the son of John and Eliza (Conley) Bennett, the father a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, while the mother was born in Ireland, from which country she emigrated to America when young in years. Grandfather Thomas Bennett came with his family to Monroe township, Knox county, in 1828, when the country was practically a vast forest and neighbors were few. He came from Jefferson county, this state, and settled in the woods, building here a log cabin and starting a little clearing, and, step by step, forged to the front. The father of the subject also devoted his life to farming. He was a man of upright character and was highly respected in his neighborhood. His death occurred in October, 1893, his widow surviving until November 2, 1907; they are both buried in the cemetery at Gambier.

George W. Bennett was brought up on the home farm, and when but a lad was put to work on the farm during the crop season, attending the common schools in the winter time, and he remained at home until his marriage, October 3, 1882, to Sarah Louise Holmes, daughter of Josiah and Sarah (Wasson) Holmes, a prominent family of Monroe township, this county. This union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Helen G. married J. Clyde Smith, of Pleasant township, this county; Sarah Lena married John Cunningham, of College township; and Edna M., who is at home.

For a period of ten years after his marriage Mr. Bennett lived on a farm about a mile east of where his present farm is located. He came to this present home in August, 1892, and has lived here ever since, developing one of the best farms in the community. His place consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres and is well improved and well cultivated. In connection with general farming he raises a fine grade of horses and hogs, also sheep, and he has been very successful with his live stock, being especially interested in the improvement of the breed of horses.

Politically, Mr. Bennett is a Republican, and be lias always been interested in public matters. Tn local politics be votes independently. He has served as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board of his district, and he has been a frequent delegate to party conventions. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has been a member of the board of stewards for more than twenty years and has for practically all his mature life been active in church and Sunday school work. He is a man of high ideals in his intercourse with his fellow men and his influence for better public conditions is potent, being an advocate of wholesome living and purity in politics.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANK L. BENNETT.

In placing Frank L. Bennett, well known hardware dealer of Mt. Vernon, in the front rank of Knox county business men, simple justice is done to a biographical fact, recognized throughout this locality by those at all familiar with his history. A man of rare judgment, sound discretion, keen discernment and business ability of a high order, he has managed with tactful success important enterprises and so impressed his individuality upon the community as to gain recognition among its leading citizens and representative men of affairs.

Mr. Bennett was born April 17, 1864, in Groveport, Franklin county, Ohio, and he is the son of Thomas B. and Anna J. (Patterson) Bennett, both natives of Ohio, the father devoting his life to farming in Franklin county, never becoming a resident of Knox county; they are both now deceased.

Frank L. Bennett lived on the home farm until he was fourteen years of age, and there attended the district schools, then went to Springfield, Ohio, entering the shops of William FT. Whiteley, remaining there six years; he then went to Columbus, Ohio, and for four years was in the employ of the Columbus Buggy Company, then after having become very proficient as a mechanic, he went to Galloway, Franklin county, and took charge of the carriage shop of Edward Courtright, and remained there five years, giving his usual high-grade service. Fie came to Mt. Vernon in 1896 and engaged in the hardware business with A. P>. Henderson, under the firm name of Henderson & Bennett. In December, 1901, he sold his interest and in February, 1902, engaged in business for himself at No. 314 South Main street, where he built up a very satisfactory trade and remained until March, 1911, when he moved to more commodious quarters at No. 307 South Main street. He has a neat and attractive store, in which is tastily arranged a large, choice and carefully selected stock of all kinds of hardware, farm implements, tools, plumbers' supplies and builders’ supplies, except lumber. He carries on a very extensive and lucrative trade, which is constantly growing, his customers coming from all over the county, for they here find goods of excellent quality, reasonable prices and honest and courteous treatment.

Mr. Bennett is a stockholder in the Mt. Vernon Ice Company, and as a business man he has been very successful. Politically, he is a Republican and is always active for reforms and improved conditions whenever possible. He has never sought office, but has taken an interest in public matters, regarding it as every man’s duty to vote and uphold what he believes to be right. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the encampment and the Knights of Pythias, being treasurer of the encampment and the Odd Fellows.

Mr. Bennett was united in marriage on March 22, 1890, to Anna D. Martin, daughter of Dariah and Margaret (Webb) Martin, of Troy, Miami county, Ohio. Both parents are deceased. The modern, pleasant and neatly kept home of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, on East Hamtramck street, has been blessed by the birth of one child, an interesting daughter, hearing the name Bernice, who is still a member of the family circle.

Mrs. Bennett belongs to the Baptist church, while Mr. Bennett affiliates with the same, being a liberal supporter and a regular attendant, but not a member. Since coming to Knox county he has Avon a vast circle of friends among whom he intends spending the balance of his days.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.