- CHESTER C. BENNETT, the principal member of the C. C. BENNETT
Shoe Co., of
- Janesville, Rock County, enjoys an enviable reputation as
a business man and a genial gentleman throughout the city and
county. He is now in the prime of life, and has a circle of friends
of which any man might well be proud.
- Mr. BENNETT was born in Lima township, Rock Co., Wis., May
25, 1865, and is a son of
- George and Susan (OSMOND) BENNETT, both natives of New York.
They were the parents of five sons, three of whom are now living;
Dr. L. F. BENNETT, of Beloit, Wis.; Chester C.; and James B.,
who is now living on the home farm. Orrin G., another son, lived
to become a member of the medical profession, and attain some
standing in that line, but is now deceased. The father, who has
always been a farmer, came to Wisconsin about 1851, and located
on the farm which has continued to be his home until the present
time; it originally consisted of 120 acres, but he now owns 160
acres. Here he has lived and reared his family, holding an honorable
position in the world. He and his wife are still on the farm,
though its care has fallen into the hands of their youngest son,
James. The aged parents are members of the Baptist Church, and
have worthily sustained their religious professions throughout
their lives. George BENNETT has always been a Republican. His
father was a native of New York, and died in that State while
still a young man. The maternal grandfather of Mr. BENNETT, Caleb
OSMOND, was born in England, but came to this country early in
life. He located in New York, moved to Ohio, and from that State
came to Wisconsin when it was still largely a wilderness. He
was a farmer, and had a farm near Milton Junction, where he died
when eighty-nine years old. He was the father of a large family.
- Chester C. BENNETT was reared to manhood on the farm in Lima
township, attended the
- district school and Milton (Wis.) College, and began teaching
when he was nineteen years of age. He was a teacher for three
years, and then clerked in a dry goods store in Janesville six
months. He spent some time as a clerk in a grocery store in Chicago,
and held the position of buyer for the establishment. Returning
to Janesville, he bought a grocery store in that city Sept. 24,
1889, and conducted same until the spring of 1892, doing a fine
business, and building up a good trade. That year he sold it,
and turning his attention to real estate and loaning money soon
secured a very extensive patronage. On April 20, 1896, he formed
a partnership with George H. CRAM, of Beloit and established
a shoe store in Janesville, which quickly became a center of
trade. Mr. BENNETT bought out Mr. CRAM's interest Dec. 16, 1897,
and formed a stock company, now called the C. C. BENNETT Shoe
Co. (incorporated), which has become a brilliant success.
- Chester C. BENNETT and Miss Laura E. CHAPMAN were married
Nov. 5, 1889. She is a
- daughter of Mrs. A. E. CHAPMAN, and is a lady of many charms
and graces. They are the parents of two children, Ermine F. and
Audrey E. The family has a pleasant home at No. 1 Jeffris flats.
Mrs. BENNETT is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. BENNETT
is a member of several fraternal associations, and is popular
wherever found. He belongs to Janesville Lodge, No. 55, A.F.
& A.M.; the Knights of Pythias; the I.O.O.F.; the A.O.U.W.;
and Rock River Encampment. He is a Republican politically.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c) 1901, pp. 147-148.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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