Willard Bennett
 

Portrait and Biographical Album of Peoria County (1890)
Transcribed by John Melton!

 

WILLARD H. BENNETT is a comparatively recent but valuable addition to the farming community of this county, and since settling in Hallock Township has given his time very profitably to agricultural pursuits, raising grain and also doing a good business in growing stock. He has his farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres on section 30, and twenty acreas in another part of the township, under substantial improvement, with ample buildings and model machinery, and its well-tilled acres are capable of yielding returns for his labors, besides supporting a goodly amount of cattle and other stock.

Mr. Bennett was born in Stephen Township, Rensselaer County, N. Y., August 4, 1820. (For a full history of his parents see sketch of A. J. Bennett). He lived until twelve years old in his native county, and he then accompanied his parents to Lewis County, in the same State, and there his mother died when he was twenty years old, and his father afterward return3ed to Rensselaer County. Our subject did not go back with his father, but went to Clarkson, in Monroe County, and there worked as a day laborer. He subsequently went to South Carolina, where he was in the employ of the Georgia Lumber Company, serving as boss teamster until the job on which they were at work was completed. Two years later he returned to New York State, and located in his native county, where he lived until he came to this State, his settlement here dating back twelve years. Since coming here he has worked hard and has made his labors count, as will be seen by the fin condition of his neat and well-managed farm.

Our subject has been twice married. His wedding with Miss Eliza Hyers took place in his native town and county, which was also her birthplace, and after their marriage they lived in the house in which she was born. There she died two years later, closing a brief but happy wedded life. She was young to die as she was not twenty-two years of age.

Our subject was married a second time in his native county, taking as his wife Miss Anna Wilkinson. She was born in Ghent, Columbia County, N. Y., and is the daughter of people who were life-long residents of that State. She is the mother of four children, of whom one, an infant, is deceased. The others--Willard E., Robert A. and Lillian F.--are all at home with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are well though of by the people with whom they have come to make their home, as in all their relations with each other, with their family, their neighbors, and other fwllo-citizens, they display those qualities of head and heart that mark the true honesty and goodness of character that commands trust and esteem wherever found. In their religious views they are inclined to the Presbyterian faith. In his political belief Mr. Bennett is a Democrat.

(page 414)

 


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