- JUDGE JOHN R. BENNETT (deceased) was one of the most prominent
men Rock County
- ever had within its confines, and was Judge of the Twelfth
Judicial Circuit from 1882 until the day of his death, June 9,
1890.
- Judge John R. BENNETT was born in Rodman, Jefferson Co.,
N.Y., Nov. 1, 1820 and his
- parents were natives of Connecticut, descended in a direct
line from Puritans who settled in New England in the very earliest
days of the country. After completing his studies at the district
schools, Judge BENNETT entered the Black River Literary and Religious
Institute, Watertown, N.Y., where he qualified himself for teaching,
and engaged in that occupation for several years. In 1844 he
entered upon the study of law, under W. W. WAGER, an attorney
of Brownville, N.Y., and later studied with D. N. BURNHAM, Esq.,
of Sackett's Harbor, N.Y., being admitted to practice in the
courts of New York in May, 1848.
- In October, 1848, Judge BENNETT came to Wisconsin, and located
at Janesville, engaging in
- the practice of his profession. Within a very short period
he took a high position as a trial lawyer and advocate, and in
1862 was elected district attorney of Rock County, serving in
that capacity for two consecutive terms with a high order of
ability. In April, 1882, he was elected to the office of Judge
of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, to succeed Judge Harmon D. CONGOR,
was re-elected in 1888, and again in 1894.
- On November 28, 1844, at Houndsfield, N.Y., Judge BENNETT
married Elsie L.
- HOLLOWAY, and for nearly fifty years she was his faithful,
devoted wife; she died May 28, 1893, at her home in Janesville.
On June 9, 1899, while in full possession of his faculties, Judge
BENNETT passed away, leaving a wide circle of friends, as well
as associates of the Bar, to mourn his loss.
- Not only was Judge BENNETT an able attorney, and an astute
and just judge, but, socially and in
- his home, he was kind, gentle and greatly admired. Although
his educational advantages were not what he had desired, he ever
sought to improve his already well-stored mind, and at an advanced
age enjoyed translating Greek.
- On April 24, 1900, memorial services were held at the court
house in Janesville, and a portrait of
- this honored judge was presented to the Rock County Bar Association
by his daughters. All of the leading representatives of the Bar
were present, and touching testimonials were read by Judge BENNETT's
associates, who thus assembled to honor his memory. B. B. ELDREDGE
read the memorial, in which the highest praise was accorded Judge
BENNETT, and an eloquent eulogy paid his remarkable attainments.
A certified copy of the same was delivered to his family.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c) 1901, pp. 9-10.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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