- ALMON BENNETT, a distinguished pioneer of this county, of
1843, and now an honored
- resident of Beloit, was born in Rockingham, Windsor Co.,
Vt., Dec. 4, 1816, and is a son of John and Abigail (PERRIN)
BENNETT. The former was born in the Green Mountain State, in
1776, and the latter in Pomfret, Conn., in 1786. They were married
in the latter State, and settled in Rockingham, Vt., where seven
children were born unto them: Emily, became the wife of Cyrus
BROOKS, of Chester, Vt., and emigrated with her husband to Brimfield,
Peoria Co., Ill, where he became a prominent farmer; Roswell
G., a millwright by trade, located at Nunda, Livingston Co.,
N.Y.; Lucinda became the wife of Jacob OSGODBY, a native of England,
who settled in Nunda; Liberty, a farmer by occupation, is residing
in Livingston County, N.Y.; Almon is the next in order of birth;
Lucia A. wedded John W. PAGE, of Nunda, N.Y.; Millicent M. is
the second wife of Jacob OSGODBY, a resident of the same town.
- In 1835, John BENNETT removed with his family to Nunda, Livingston
County, N.Y., where he
- passed the remainder of his days. He was in the War of 1812,
serving in the capacity of teamster, and his father, John BENNETT,
who was of Scotch descent, was also a soldier of that war, in
which he served with distinction. He laid out the town of Cambridgeport,
was a prominent factor in its upbuilding, and erected the first
sawmill and gristmill at that place.
- Our subject grew to manhood in his native county, receiving
his early education in the district
- schools, after which he took a partial course in the academies
at Chester and Bennington. At the age of eighteen years, he
left the parental roof, and going to Gilsum, N.H., took charge
of the sawmill at that place. The following year he received
a promotion, becoming foreman of a saw and carding mill, in which
line he continued for two years, when in 1843, as above stated,
he turned his face to the setting sun and came West to seek his
fortune. While en route to Buffalo, he made his first trip on
the cars. It was in the month of October, and a heavy sleet
had fallen, bending the bushes over the track, so that the train
men were forced to cut them down before the train could continue
on its way. Arriving at Buffalo, Mr. BENNETT purchased a ticket
by boat to Chicago, but on account of the rough weather during
the voyage, landed at Milwaukee eight days after embarking.
He there secured a passage to Cold Spring, where he had a friend
residing, a man by the name of Abraham BRINK, who owned the water-power
at that place. He secured employment at Cold Spring, and assisted
in building the first gristmill at that point. In 1847, he came
to Beloit, where for three years he was employed in the machine
shops of BARKER & GARDNER, and at the end of that time, being
attracted by the discovery of gold in California, crossed the
plains to that country in 1850. While on the Pacific slope,
he spent part of his time engaged in mining, and also worked
at his trade, returning home in 1852, by way of the Isthmus of
Panama and New York City. After his return he embarked in the
lumber business, as a member of the firms of GATES & BENNETT,
hauling their lumber with teams from Milwaukee. That firm continued
in business for five years, when Mr. BENNETT withdrew and engaged
as a grain dealer, following that line until 1885, when he lost
his warehouse by fire, since which time he has lived a retired
life.
- In 1846, Mr. BENNETT married Miss Calista L. PECK, a native
of Jefferson County, N.Y.,
- their union being celebrated at Cold Spring. Two children
have been born of their marriage, namely: Hila M., wife of Rev.
W. F. BROWN, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of Janesville;
and Allie M., wife of B. M. MALONE, attorney at law of Beloit,
and district attorney of Rock County.
- Politically, Mr. BENNETT is a stanch supporter of the Democratic
party. He was a great admirer
- of Stephen A. Douglas, and a warm friend of Grover Cleveland.
He is numbered among the self-made men of Rock County. When
he started for the West, he had but $20 in his pocket. Arriving
at Rochester, he paid $8 of that sum for a coat, and on reaching
Milwaukee had but a very limited sum remaining. His energetic
nature at once led him to seek employment, and little by little,
by economy and industry, he has accumulated a competency, and
is now able to retire from the active duties of life, to spend
his declining years in comparative rest from labor. He has always
been a worker in the foremost ranks in any enterprise for the
benefit of the city, has given liberally in the support of its
institutions, and is one of the representative citizens of Beloit,
being held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 227-228.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|