R. H. Bennett

As printed in 1882

R. H. BENNETT, retired farmer; P. O. Mason. The ancestry of the above gentleman on the paternal side we have been enabled to trace beyond the sea to the sunny and vine-clad hills of France. In the person of William Bennett, grandsire to the subject of this memoir, centers the remotest historical data to which access at this time can be had. Of him it is known that, when in early manhood, he emigrated from his native land to the then inhospitable shores of the New World, and located in New Jersey, previous to the breaking-out of the Revolutionary troubles. Himself being imbued with the spirit that characterized the French under the leadership and influence of the immortal LaFayette, took up arms against the minions of George the Third, and in defense of the homes and liberties of the oppressed colonists. During the battle of Bunker Hill, he bore aloft the colors of his regiment, and during the contest, received wound 8 from which he never recovered- After the close of the war, he married Adria Ann Britton, in his adopted State, who was born in Holland and came to America during her infancy. Eventually, they moved westward, and located in Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland Co., Penn., where were born to them six sons and one daughter, and whose names are as follows: John, William,

Nicholas, Abram, Mary, David and Isaac. In 1815, he followed the star of empire westward, and on the northwest quarter of Sec. 33, in Turtle Creek Township, Warren Co., Ohio, he made another and his last home. With him came five of his children — John and Abram remaining in the Ligonier Valley, which they loved too well to leave. The children who came with their parents those their own localities, and we note their respective places of settlement: William, in Jackson Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, of whom more extended notice is given in the sketch of D. E. Bennett, in this work. Nicholas settled first in Hamilton Co., Ohio, but afterward removed to Warren County and took up his above on the southeast quarter of Sec. 33, in Turtle Creek Township. David located upon land in the southeast quarter of Sec. 2, in Deerfield Township, in Warren County; Isaac, on land owned by William Bennett, in Turtle Creek Township. Mary, the only daughter of William Bennett, became the wife of James Enos, who, after their marriage, removed to the vicinity of Aurora, Ind. At this time (1881), not one of the above children of William Bennett survives, and it remains for history to correctly perpetuate the memory of those who were prominently identified in the settlement of this county. John and Abraham, the sons who remained in Pennsylvania, served in the war of 1812 — the latter a Color-Bearer, thereby filling the position his father sustained so creditably to himself in that unequal and sanguinary contest at Bunker Hill. To Nicholas and Rachel (Anderson) Bennett were born twelve children, of whom eight survive, viz., William, Abraham, Enos, Mary (Mrs. Conyers), Catherine (Mrs. Bennett), Nancy (Mrs. Phillips), Hannah J. (Mrs. Foster), and Andrew J.; the deceased are Adria Ann Morgan, n6e Bennett; Hiram, and two who died in infancy. Abraham, fourth son of William Bennett, was born Nov. 19, 1789. He was married to Sarah Huston, a native of Ireland, in 1811. As above stated, he clung io his old valley home, in which the years of his life — three score and fifteen — were nearly numbered, his decease occurring in September, 1864. Thirteen children were the result of Abraham’s union with Sarah Huston, of whom nine are living, and at present (1881) are located as follows: Mary E. (Mrs. Hutchinson), New Wilmington, PeDn; Richard H., the subject of this memoir; David B., Oregon; Margaret (Mrs. Ferguson), Pike Co., Ill.; John B., California (since 1850); Isaac, Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio; Agnes B. (Mrs. La Fever), Montgomery Co., Ohio; Elizabeth (Mrs. Salters), Missouri; Rachel J. (Mrs. Menoher), who resides on the old Bennett homestead in the Ligonier Valley. The deceased are William, who was a prominent physician; two, bearing the names of Samule and Sarah, who died in childhood. R. H. Bennett, the subject of this memoir, was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Aug. 28, 1819. He was married to Catherine Bennett, of Warren County, April 5, 1845, who has borne him one son and two daughters, viz., John C., whose sketch appears in this work; May E., bora May 6, 1849, married G. L. Domm Sept 17, 1867, by whom she had one child, G. C., bora Sept. 12, 1868; Emma B., bom June 23, 1851, died in infancy. Our subject was reared a poor boy, and at the time he came to Ohio, in the fall of 1840, he landed in Cincinnati with 26 cents in money, 25 of which he paid for his supper. Possessing both energy and health, he went to work with a will, and he has won. His educational qualifications, which he secured through his own efforts, enabled him to teach, which he successfully did for five years. In 1850, the savings of ten years enabled him to open a store of general merchandise in Mason, which he carried on with profit to himself till he closed out, in 1868, when his son, John C., became his successor. Mr. Bennett is one of the most energetic and enterprising citizens, and a highly esteemed gentleman in the community. Though unassuming in disposition, he is benevolent and liberal, and all enterprises of a meritorious character he generously supports. For forty-two years, he has been identified with his community’s interest, and, during that period of time, has done much in the way of assisting public improvement. In 1863, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was commissioned Notary Public at the same time, and the responsibilities of each he has discharged with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to all whose interests were in his hands.

As printed in The History of Warren County, Ohio (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.