Denver County, History of Colorado, BIOS: BENNETT, Chester C. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 143-144


CHESTER C. BENNETT.

	Chester C. Bennett, president of the Western Securities 
Investment Company, of Denver, was born May 25,1865. in Lima, Rock 
county, Wisconsin. His father, George Bennett, was a native of New 
York, where the family settled at an early day but prior to that 
settlement was made by his ancestors in Vermont. George Bennett was a 
successful agriculturist and stock raiser of Rock county, Wisconsin, 
for many years, having cast in his lot with its pioneer residents in 
the year 1850. There he remained a respected and valued citizen of the 
community for his remaining years, passing away in 1913 at the age of 
eighty-five. In early manhood he wedded Susan F. Osmond, also a native 
of the state of New York and of English parentage. She passed away at 
the old homestead in Rock county, which she occupied for more than 
fifty-five years, her death occurring in 1915, when she had passed the 
eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey.

	The family numbered five sons, of whom Chester C. Bennett was the 
fourth in order of birth. He mastered the elementary branches of 
learning in the district schools near his father's home and afterward 
attended Milton College in Rock county, Wisconsin. His early life to 
the age of eighteen years was spent upon the home farm and through the 
periods of vacation he assisted in the work ot the fields, early 
becoming familiar with the best methods .of tilling the soil and caring 
for the crops. His first vocation after leaving home was that of 
teaching, which profession he followed in Rock county for about 
eighteen months. He next entered the mercantile business on his own 
account at Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1888 and there he continued until 
1892, when he turned his attention to the real estate and farm loan 
business, continuing successful operations in that field for some time. 
He not only engaged in buying and selling property on his own account 
but also handled real estate for others and likewise engaged in 
business as a merchandise broker, buying and selling established 
mercantile enterprises until January 13, 1902. The opportunities of the 
west attracted him and at the date mentioned he arrived in Denver. He 
has since figured prominently in financial circles of this city. He was 
one of the directors in full charge of the investments for the Colorado 
National Life Insurance Company and continued in that company until the 
business was sold in 1912. Soon thereafter he established and 
incorporated the Western Securities Investment Company, of which he 
became the president, and has so served to the present time. The 
company today controls one of the largest businesses of the kind in the 
west and has many clients not only in Colorado but throughout 
neighboring states. Mr. Bennett and his associate officers are 
thoroughly informed concerning property values and securities of all 
kinds and are thus able to assist their clients in making judicious and 
profitable Investments, bringing ready returns for their money. Mr. 
Bennett is also treasurer and a director of the Eastern Colorado Farm 
Loan Company and president of the Bennett-Bradford Ranch Company. He 
has displayed notable enterprise and keen discernment in the conduct of 
his affairs and is a close student of everything in any way related to 
the business. He is constantly watching the trend of the times along 
business lines and his Intelligently directed effort has placed him in 
a conspicuous, successful and enviable position in financial circles.

	On the 5th of November, 1889, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage 
in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Miss Laura C. Chapman, a native of that 
place and a daughter of Horace D. and Amanda E. (Louden) Chapman. Her 
father, who is now deceased, was for years roadmaster with the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railway Company. Her mother belonged to an old and 
prominent family of Janesville. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born 
two children: Erminie, who is the wife of Harold J. Sanborn, a resident 
of Cleveland, Ohio; and Audrey E., who married Blaine B. Wallace, a 
lieutenant in the United States Army.

	Mr. Bennett gives his political endorsement to the republican 
party. Fraternally he is a Mason and he is identified with the Chamber 
ot Commerce. His interests are thus broad and varied and he is a 
supporter of all those activities which work for the material 
development and the civic progress of his adopted city. Along the lines 
of an orderly progression he has advanced to a creditable place in 
business and financial circles of Denver and many of his fellow 
townsmen bear high testimony to his enterprise, his business ability 
and his sterling personal worth.