Will County IL Archives Biographies.....BENNITT, FRED ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Paula Winke-Martisek wranglerjack@comcast.net September 17, 2007, 5:55 pm Author: GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD COL. FRED BENNITT. The Bennitt family is of English descent and was established in Massachusetts in 1634. Ephraim Bennitt, a native of Connecticut, made his home in Orange County, N. Y., during the Revolutionary war and took part in that historic struggle. After peace was restored he settled in the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. His son, Daniel, who was born in Orange County, N. Y., was the father of twenty-three children, among the youngest of whom was Col. Benjamin Bennitt; the latter was born March 23, 1827, three miles north of Hammondsport, Steuben County, N. Y. When he was seven years old he accompanied his father and ten of the other children to Steuben County, Ind., but three years later his father died, the family became scattered and he made his home with a sister. He studied law in an office in Hammondsport and later with Judge Comstock in Canandaigua, and was admitted to the bar March 6, 1850. With the exception of four years in the army his subsequent life was given to professional work in Hammondsport. For nearly thirty years he served as justice of the peace and for several terms he was justice of the sessions. As a lawyer he was thorough and conscientious in his work and showed a superior mind and strong will in his many contests in the courts. As a soldier he was enthusiastic and faithful to every duty. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, April 12, 1861, and the call for troops made on the 15th, he went to Bath and enlisted in Company A, Twenty-third New York Infantry, as a private. May 16 he was promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant and November 28 was made first lieutenant by Governor Morgan of New York. Among his engagements were those of Gowesville, Groveton, Rappahannock Crossing, second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Returning home he was commissioned to organize a company of cavalry, and this company, with him as its captain, was mustered in at Rochester February 2, 1864, and incorporated, with the Twenty-second New York Cavalry, joining the army of the Potomac, and taking part in the various engagements under Grant. The year that followed was one of great hardship for the company and its gallant captain; but, in spite of his sufferings (or, perhaps, on account of them) he could never be persuaded afterward to recount or, indeed, scarcely mention them. He took part in the twenty-seven days' battle in the Wilderness and assisted in General Wilson's dashing raid to Richmond. During that raid a part of Captain Bennitt's company was captured by Fitzhugh Lee, and of these thirty-one men, only twelve lived to return to their homes. For eight months he was confined in southern prisons and during that time his relatives did not know whether he was living or dead. Four times he escaped, but each time was recaptured. He was finally exchanged in 1865, and allowed to return home. He was commissioned major of the Twenty-second New York Cavalry by the governor of New York and President Johnson brevetted him lieutenant colonel for meritorious service. February 15, 1865, he was appointed inspector-general of the Twentieth Brigade of the National Guard of New York. After the war ended he resumed the pursuits of private life. He became active in the Grand Army of the Republic and was commander of the post in his home town. After a busy and useful life, he died August 24, 1889. By the marriage of Ben Bennitt to Melinda Wheeler, which occurred February 8, 1854, two sons were born, Fred and Mark. The former was born in Hammondsport August 5, 1855. His education was begun in public schools and completed in Cornell University. In 1875 he came to Joliet and entered the law office of Judge Goodspeed. At the same time he followed the printer's trade in the office of the Weekly Republican. In September, 1876, he was admitted to the practice of law in this state. Since that time he has built up a large practice in all of the courts. Much of his practice is in the nature of counsel for corporations. He is attorney for the Joliet Gas Company, in which he holds the offices of secretary and director. He is also connected with other prominent enterprises in the city. In fact, every worthy movement for the advancement of the place has received his encouragement and aid. The cause of religion has in him a warm and steadfast friend, and the Episcopal Church, of which he is an official member, has been especially fortunate in receiving numerous evidences of his interest. He was married, April 19, 1883, to Miss Anne E., daughter of Samuel B. Reed. They have two children, Alice and Samuel B. In 1877 Colonel Bennitt became a member of the State Militia. From that time to the present he has been more or less intimately connected with military affairs. His services during the Spanish-American war are fresh in the minds of all. It is but natural that a man of his character and mental attributes should be interested in public affairs. We find him a public-spirited citizen, though not a partisan. Prior to 1896 he supported Democratic principles. During that year, when the Democratic party was divided over the silver question, he assisted in organizing the National Democratic party, which nominated Palmer and Bucker for president and vice-president. In the campaign that followed he took a leading part. He has often been selected to act as delegate to county and state conventions and has also held numerous local offices, including those of alderman and city attorney. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/bennitt1709nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb