The Bennett Families of Madison County, Iowa

ALFRED LEMAN BENNETT.

Alfred Leman Bennett is a native son of Madison county, Iowa, as he was born about a mile from the farm upon which he now resides in Douglas township, March 4, 1869. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Gideon) Bennett, were born respectively in Marion county, Indiana, and in Ohio. The father's birth occurred October 22, 1835, and his death in Madison county, Iowa, on the lath of December, 1905, but the mother, who was born April 24, 1841, is still living here. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Bennett, was born in Fayette, Pennsylvania, in 1800 and in 1851 removed to this county from Indiana, where he had previously settled, making the trip with ox teams and wagons. He was well-to-do and brought five thousand dollars in gold with him. Generosity was one of his

:jl salient characteristics and at times when his neighbors had no crops nor money with which to buy, he gave them of his store, although he might have sold his grain elsewhere at a dollar a bushel. He became an extensive landowner, holding title to over one thousand acres. He was very public-spirited and took an active part in the betterment of conditions in his locality. He gave the ground for the first school building in Madison township and served as supervisor. His life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and he made further improvements on his place from time to time. His first residence was a log cabin, in which he lived in true pioneer fashion. His son Andrew drove a team on the journey to Iowa and in the early days when deer and elk were plentiful he caught several young elk and broke them to drive. Many times he drove them into Winterset but finally traded them to his brother in Missouri for mules. Like his father, he had no political aspirations but was very active and energetic and did much to assist his poor neighbors. The big snow storm of 1855 caused the family considerable hardship and there were the usual discomforts of living in an unsettled region. There were eighteen children in the family, of whom he was the fifth in order of birth.

Our subject's maternal grandparents were Henry and Nancy Gideon, who came to Iowa in October, 1854. The grandfather was born September 28, I/QS, and the grandmother September 28, 1806. They had a family of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, all of whom were born in Ohio, namely: Jacob; Alfred; Sarah, who died August 3, 1894; Joseph; James, who died August 31, 1903; Peter; Valentine; Sanford, who died December 28, 1902; David, who died October 3, 1861; Mary E.; and Oliver. The father of these children died on the 22d of November, 1882, and the mother passed away July 5, 1869. Their son Oliver was married October 16, 1867, to Mary E. Kerrick, by whom he had five children, four sons and one daughter. They made their home on the banks of North river and during the flood of July 4, 1876, their house was washed away and the wife and three children were drowned. Oliver, with the two remaining children, managed to hold on to a little green sapling all night before he was rescued by a neighbor, William Terry. A search was then made for the other members of the family, and the wife and two children were found about a mile down the stream, but the body of the baby was not recovered until the following day. They were all laid to rest in what is known as the Bennett graveyard.

Alfred Leman Bennett attended school in the first schoolhouse built in Douglas township and took advantage of the educational opportunities of that early day. When twenty-two years of age he began farming in Douglas township and with the exception of the year 1892 has continued to reside there. He owns one hundred acres of excellent land and in addition to raising the usual crops is a stockman. He keeps the farm work well in hand, sees that all necessary repairs and buildings are made and that the fields are in a high state of cultivation. As he is efficient and prevents as far as possible all waste of time and energy he has time after his farm work is done to devote to outside affairs. He possesses the family train of dislike of publicity, but is always in the front rank when there is anything to be done for the good of the community. He has no political aspirations, but his neighbors, who recognize his ability, have elected him to a number of township offices.

In 1890 Mr. Bennett was married to Miss Ola Negus, a native of Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa, born December 28, 1871, a daughter of Obed Warren and Hannah (Hungerford) Negus. Her father was born in Fabius, New York, May 31, 1826, a son of Thaddeus Negus and a descendant of revolutionary stock, his ancestors having fought for the independence of the colonies. He passed away at Atlantic, Iowa, on the 20th of April, 1895. His wife, who was a relative of Colonel Bob Ingersoll, was born March 4, 1848, and is still living at Minneapolis, Minnesota. The grandfather of Mrs. Bennett was related to Colonel Wallace of the English army. Mr. Negus in early life attended the schools of Fabius, New York, and was a classmate of General. Slocum. He also had an appointment to West Point, Init, having lost an eye through an accident on a hunting trij), he was unable to pass the entrance physical examination. He learned the shoemaker's trade. Upon his removal from New York he settled in Galva, Illinois, where he engaged in the hotel business, but in 1869 went to Jefferson, Iowa, and in partnership with O. J. White conducted a boot and shoe store. He also became a land owner there. In 1872 he located in Des Moines, where he followed his trade, being very skillful in the making of fine boots and shoes, but at the end of two years came to Winterset, where he remained until 1893, when he removed to Atlantic and continued to follow his trade there until his death in 1895. He was quite active in local republican circles and while living in Galva, Illinois, served as mayor of that municipality. He was also at one time United States marshal. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born the following children: Josephine, whose birth occurred on the 2d of December, 1891; James Warren, born August 29, 1893; and Andrew Floyd, born December 21,

Mr. Bennett is a member of the Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., of Winterset, and also holds membership in the Odd Fellows. The spirit of benevolence and kindness has found expression in his daily life, he is at all times ready to assist a neighbor, and there are many in the county who are indebted to him for encouragement or material help given when they were in need. He has worthily carried on the family tradition of public-spirited service and there is no more valued citizen in Douglas township.

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

GEORGE N. BENNETT.

George N. Bennett is successfully engaged in farming an excellent tract of land on sections 26 and 27, Madison township. He is a native of Douglas township, this county, born April 15, 1874, of the marriage of Andrew and Mary E. (Giddeon) Bennett, the former born in Indiana and the latter in Ohio. The father became a resident of Madison county, Iowa, in 1852, accompanying his parents on their removal here in that year. His father entered land in Douglas township and devoted the remainder of his life to its cultivation. As soon as old enough Andrew Bennett began farming for himself and became the owner of land in Douglas township, which he improved and cultivated until his demise, which occurred in December, 1906, when he was seventy-one years of age. His widow survives at the age of seventy-three and resides with our subject.

George N. Bennett was reared under the parental roof and his youth was spent in much the same manner as that of other farmers' sons, as he attended the district schools, assisted his father with the work of the homestead and also found time for outdoor sports. He remained at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, farming the home place in partnership with his father. He then rented land on his own account in Madison township and after operating it for seven years located upon a farm of one hundred acres on sections 23 and 22, Madison township, belonging to his mother. For the past six years he has operated this place, which is a valuable property, the land being fertile and everything about the farm being in excellent condition. His work is done at the proper time and as he employs practical methods and uses up-to-date machinery he is rewarded with excellent crops in their season. His stock is of a high grade and he finds that stock-raising is a lucrative phase of farming.

Mr. Bennett was married in October, 1896, to Miss Belle Beedle, a daughter of Abe and Rachel (Murphy") Beedle, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. They were among the early settlers in Madison comity, coming here with their respective parents, both families settling in Union township. Mr.

Beedle was reared and educated here and since coming to mature years has operated a farm in Union township. His wife is also having. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have become the parents of seven children: Earl, seventeen years of age; Kyle, a lad of fourteen; Ward, nine years old; Lelia five years of age; Millard and Marion, twins, who died in June, lyoS; and LeRoy, who passed away in September, 191 2.

Mr. Bennett is an adherent of the progressive party and holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In all relations of life he has proved upright and honorable and is justly accounted one of the forces for advancement and righteousness in his community.

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

W. VERNON BENNETT.

W. Vernon Bennett, who was born on the farm in Douglas township, is a successful and well known farmer. His natal day was the 30th of May, 1884, and he is a son of Andrew and Mary (Gideon) Bennett, who are spoken of on another page of this work. Mr. Bennett attended the public schools on North river, the schoolhouse being the second built in the township. When twenty-two years of age he assumed the management of the home farm and has since operated it. He makes a specialty of raising pure bred draft horses, but also grows the crops best suited to the soil and climate of this state. Since he is energetic and progressive and keeps in touch with the results of investigators who are striving to make agriculture a science he is meeting with deserved success in his labors and is considered one of the leaders among the younger generation of farmers.

In if)o6 ]Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Corgie May McDonald, who was also born in Douglas township, this county. She is a-daughter of William S. and Barbara Ellen (Combs) McDonald and is a niece of the man who, when a name for the county seat of Madison county was being chosen, suggested the name of Winterset instead of Summerset, as the weather was cold and stormy. William S. McDonald was born in Guernsey county. Ohio, on the 23d of May, 1848, and his wife was born near Wathena, Kansas, in 1858. When a boy he emigrated westward with his parents and drove a flock of five hundred sheep. The family intended to stop in Illinois, but, hearing of the fine country open to settlement in Iowa, continued to Iowa, where they located in 1863. William S. McDonald completed his education by attending the district schools after his arrival in this state and upon starting out in life for himself turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He now owns six hundred and ninety acres of land and devotes his time and attention to its management. He is a republican and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. Mrs. liennett is the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children, all of whom are valued citizens of this county.

Mr. Bennett belongs to Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., at Winterset and is an exemplary Mason, embodying in his life the spirit of brotherhood which is the foundation of the order. He has no political aspirations but in a private capacity does much to further the advancement of his community and is known as a good neighbor and a public-spirited citizen.

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