William Bennett

William Bennett, farmer, section 14, Evart Township, was born Oct. 14, 1833, in Steuben Co., N.Y. and is the son of Thomas and Angeline (Jamison) Bennett. The former was born April 5, 1810, in Steuben County. In 1869 he came to Michigan and is now a resident on section 28, Evart Township. The mother of William was born June 14, 1809, and died Feb. 9, 1865, in Steuben County.

In the maternal line of descent Mr. Bennett is of Scotch lineage. His father came of Dutch ancestry. He was reared on a farm in his native county and during his majority remained under his father's control. On reaching the period of his legal freedom he went to Oconto Co., Wis., and engaged as foreman for the lumber firm of Eldridge & Balcom, with whom he continued a year. At the end of that time he returned to the county where he was born, and again engaged for a time in agricultural pursuits. He went back to the employment of Eldredge & Balcom in the Badger State, and after a service of six months he went to Butler Co., Iowa. He bought a farm which he owned three years. Meanwhile he went to Pike's Peak, there interesting himself in mining. He came back to Iowa, sold his farm, and in May, 1868, came to this State and settled near Georgetown, Ottawa County, on Grand River, for two years, then one year in New York State, then for a time on Grand River agin; and finally came to the township of Evart, where he bought the farm he now owns. In the fall he went again to the State of New York, and during the winter which succeeded he managed a lumber camp in Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1869 he returned to Osceola County and engaged as foreman in the lumber interests of Edward Cole, for whom he operated three years. In 1872 he came to this township and commenced lumbering for Wright & Grove, and continued one year in their employment, his family meanwhile residing on the farm on which there were no improvements except a log house. He has now 30 acres under the plow and a good frame house and barn.Mr. Bennett is a Democrat in political conviction and action. He has acted through four terms as Sipervisor, has been School Director since he came here, and has served one year as Highway Commissioner. He was married Dec. 14, 1858, to Frances A. Benaway, and they are the parents of seven children: Thomas was born Oct. 1, 1859; Alonzo, June 16, 1861; Elliot L., May 4, 1864; William, April 8, 1866; Carrie, Feb. 1, 1869; Jennie, June 23, 1871; Mortimer, April 23, 1873. Mrs. Bennett is the daughter of Thomas and Lettia (Brewer) Benaway. The former was born Jan. 9, 1813, in Dutchess Co., N.Y.; the latter April 15, 1809, in New Brunswick, N.J. They had five children: Esther A. and Morgan M. are living; Andrew and Sarah A. are deceased. Mrs. Bennett was born Feb. 9, 1838, in Steuben Co., N.Y. Mr. Bennett has two brothers - Benjamin R. and John J. Thomas is deceased. Mary A., Addie and Permelia are his surviving sisters. Nancy, Eliza and Sarah are not living.

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