HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                          20


BENJAMIN JORDAN BENNETT .—Noteworthy among the esteemed
and valued residents of Clay City is Benjamin J. Bennett, who came here
a comparatively short time ago as the representative of a firm dealing.
extensively in grain, and has since been identified with its mercantile
interests. A native of Clay county, he was born September 20, 1860,
in Perry township, a son of Robert Bennett. He comes of excellent
stock, and is descended from one of the earlier settlers of. Ohio,
where his grandfather, Benjamin Bennett, was born and brought up.
Following in the footsteps of his immediate ancestors, Robert Bennett
followed the tide of emigration westward, in early life settling in the
wilds of Indiana and becoming a pioneer of Clay County.
    Robert Bennett was born December 3, 1813, in Indiana, and was
reared to agricultural pursuits in Ohio. Soon after beginning the bat-
tle of life on his own account he came to Clay county in search of a
favorable opening, locating in Perry township, where, for three dol-
lars and twelve cents an acre he bought a tract of canal land, which was
still covered with virgin timber. Clearing a space, he erected a dwelling
house and a barn, and began the improvement of a farm. The neigh-
bors were then few and far between, and he and his wife endured in
common with them all the hardships and privations incident to life in a
new settlement. In 1871, in order that his children might have better
educational advantages, he moved with his family to Terre Haute, where
he remained three years. Returning then to Perry township, he spent
the remainder of his life on the old homestead, passing away April 25,
1890. He married first, August 18, 1836, Talitha Laycock, who was
born in Clermont county, Ohio, August 18, 1816, a daughter of Reuben
Laycock. She died January 5, 1874, leaving eight children, namely:
Elisha, William P., Charles Henry, Scott, Benjamin Jordan, Lee Ann,
Sarah Jane and Martha. He married for his second wife Mrs. Margaret
Dunham, widow of Abijah Dunham.
    Brought up on a farm, Benjamin J. Bennett acquired his elementary
education in the district schools of Perry township, afterwards attending
the Sixth Ward school in Terre Haute three terms. But eleven years
old when his mother died, he subsequently lived with his brother Scott a
number of years. A man of versatility, enterprise and energy, Mr.
Bennett has been successful in his business operations, and since com-
ing to Clay City in 1906 has been exceedingly prosperous.
    In January, 1881, Mr. Bennett married Viola Parker, who was
born in Cass township, Clay county, October 13, 1860. Her father,
William Parker, was among the pioneer settlers of Cass township, where
he began the improvement of a homestead. Subsequently removing with
his family to Bowling Green, this county, he opened a store of general
merchandise, which he conducted with success until the breaking out
of the Civil war. Enlisting then in the Union Army, Mr. Parker served
as long as his health would permit. Being then honorably discharged on
account of physical disability, he returned to his home and died there a
year later. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Lindley, was
born in Orange county, Indiana, and spent her last days in Riley town-
ship, Vigo county, whither she removed after the death of her hus-
band, dying in March, 1902. She was the mother of eight children, as
follows: Leora S.; Eugenia R.; Enos H.; William; R. Elzieu; Urias
Morton; Viola, now Mrs. Bennett; and Cleophas W. The union of