WHITMAN R. BENNETT. This gentleman, familiarly known by the title of Captain, acquired while in charge of various steamboats plying on western rivers, first cam to Peoria in 1863. Since that time he ahs become well known here, having made this his home a number of years. Since 1889, he has been engaged in real-estate dealing, combining with it the management of a hardware store. He was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., February3, 1831, being a son of W. R. and Cornelia (Van Dyke) Bennett, who were likewise natives of the Keystone State. The Bennetts came originally from England and the Van Dykes from Holland, the latter being among those who fled from persecution in their native land and joined their lot with that of William Penn in the New World. 

The boyhood days of our subject were passed in his native city where, after acquiring a fundamental education, he began working in his father’s mills. The senior Bennett was a miller and a wood-turner and also owned and operated a drug and spice mill. Upon the destruction of the mills by fire, the son turned his attention to the machinist’s trade which he duly acquired under a competent master. In 1856, he came West, locating at Kewanee, Ill., where he too charge of mills, soon afterward, however, exchanging his business for that of farming which he continued three years. He then came to Peoria where he put up the machinery for E. T. Nowlin & Sons distillery. Then to use an expression common along navigable streams, he “followed the river” for some time. 

Capt. Bennett was in command of different boats, at one time running the “Tiger,” then the “Ozarkei” and again the “Lady Withup,” which was used as a dispatch boat during the war. During a portion of the time of his river career he was employed as manager of boats by John H. Howe, of St. Louis Mo. In 1869, Capt. Bennett left Peoria, returned to his native city, and there engaged in the grain business in which he continued until 1884. He then became a real estate-dealer in which occupation he contined after returning to Peoria in 1889. As before stated, he is also the manager of a hardware store, in which a fine trade is carried on. 

On October 10, 1852, the interesting ceremony took place which gave Mr. Bennett a wife and Miss Rebecca C. Anderson, of Philadelphia, a husband. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of four daughters, two of whom await their parents on the other shore. The survivors are Mrs. Mary A. Bowers and Mrs. Lizzie Withington, of Philadelphia.

Capt. Bennett is a member of several social and benevolent orders, among them being the Royal Arcanum; Knights of Golden Eagle; Order of Sparta and also a Knight Templar. He is a pronounced Republican, politically. For several years he was Tax Collector in Philadelphia. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the twelve persons who started the Calvary Mission on Spencer Street, Peoria. A man of energy, the fact that his speculations have not always succeeded to his liking has not daunted him, but on the contrary served to increase his determination and readiness to try again. Fran, genial, intelligent and courteous, his good citizenship and worth manhood have given him an excellent reputation.

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