A native of Wiltshire, England, our subject was born November 15, 1834. He is a son of Eli and

Elizabeth (Whitmarch) Bennett, who crossed the Atlantic with their family in 1853, and established themselves at Jamestown, near Syracuse, N. Y., where the father carried on farming, a business he had pursued in England. In 1856 the family came to Peoria County, and made their home in Brimfield, and were honored residents of that place for several years. In 1865 the father started to revisit his old English home and died on the way. He was a man of many sterling virtues, and was well regarded in his community, and his death was a blow to its industrial interests. His widow survived him several years, her death not occurring until 1880, Of their children Nehemiah had preceded the family in their emigration to this country, coming here in 1850, and he died in 1886. The names of the others were: Amelia, wife of Horace Rider, of Brimfield; Albert, deceased, who was a soldier in the late Civil War, and never recovered from injuries sustained on the battlefield; Edwin, a resident of Rice County, Kan; and Charles J.

The first work of our subject was on a farm. He received excellent training as an agriculturist, and for several years farmed near Galva. He was thus engaged when the war broke out, and as soon as he could arrange it he entered the army to defend the honor of his adopted country, enlisting in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He fought all through the Vicksburg campaign, and after that was chiefly engaged in Mississippi. For a while his regiment was stationed at Champion Hills, and he and his fellow-soldiers took an active part in many a skirmish and hard-won battle. Our subject was honorably discharged in the month of September, 1865, having won a fine military record.

After he left the army Mr. Bennett returned to this county, and for several years was employed by Clark & Hanna in Peoria. In 1877 he invested his capital in his present business as a grain and commission merchant. He handles hay, potatoes, grain, etc., and commands a large and lucrative trade, and takes a leading place among the commission merchants of this city.

Mr. Bennett and Miss Susan Harrison were united in marriage May 4, 1861, and they have established here a very pleasant and cozy home, to which their numerous friends are often attracted by the geniality of the host and the genuine kindness and thoughtfulness of the hostess. Two children have been born of their wedded life: Minnie, wife of Thomas Valentine; and Harry C, who married Lottie Eishaur, and is engaged in the commission business with his father.

Mr. Bennett is a thoroughly wide-awake practical man of business, who conducts his affairs methodically and systematically, and withal so honorably that his credit is good wherever he is known. His army life is commemorated by his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic, and he also belongs to the Masonic order. He is a man of true Christian spirit, a member of Calvary Mission Church, and is active in all good works that tend to elevate the community. In politics he favors the policy of the Republican party.

Page: 606 & 609