Biography of John W. Bennett, Randolph Co, AR

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Submitted by:  Bridgette Cohen <bcohen@conwaycorp.net>
        Date:  1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas
Copyrighted and Published 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company

John W. Bennett, one of Randolph County's substantial and enterprising
citizens, was born in Jefferson County, Ill., December 16, 1865, being
a son of Thomas S. and Elmira E. Bennett. His father was born in
Tennessee in 1834 and his mother in St. Francois County, Mo., and they
were married in Ripley County, that State. They afterward located in
St. Francois County and moved from there to the State of Illinois near
Rome, Jefferson County, coming thence to Randolph County, Ark., in
1868, where, after farming for some time, Mr. Bennett became
collecting agent for Hecht & Co., of Pocahontas. He served as
treasurer of Randolph County two terms, and he and his wife were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Democrat in his
political views, and while in Missouri he enlisted in the Southern
service, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He participated,
with credit to himself, in many a hard-fought battle. He was a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and died December 25, 1885, at the age of
fifty-one years. His widow still survives him and remains in Randolph
County. [p.373] Of the nine children born to their union, six are now
living: Wesley C., a farmer of the county; John W., J. S., Mary C.,
Thomas S. and Emily. The early scholastic training of John W. Bennett
was received in the common schools near his home, and he afterward
finished his education in the schools of Pocahontas. He remained with
his mother until 1887, then entered the employ of William T. McIlroy
at Dalton, with whom he remained as salesman for eight months, after
which he sold goods in Pocahontas for Snowtree, remaining in this
place for eight months also. Since that time he has devoted his
attention to agriculture, and is a farmer of this county, having 400
acres of land. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife, whose maiden
name was Annie Foster, and whom he married February 14, 1889, are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. January 3, 1867, his wife
was born. She was reared in Randolph County, Ark., and is a daughter
of Thomas Foster, who was a very prominent resident of the county, and
here spent his life, dying January 22, 1889, at the age of sixty-six
years. He was one of the most extensive real estate holders in the
county, and owned 2,200 acres of land. His name will long be
remembered by the residents of the county, for he was public spirited
and enterprising, and was ever the friend of the poor. During his long
residence in the county he held some responsible positions. He was
also a member of the Masonic fraternity.