Biographical Sketch of Joseph L. Bennett - Andrew County, Missouri

>From "History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County" Published 1888

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Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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Joseph L. Bennett, a prominent citizen of Andrew County, MO., living
within half a mile of Savannah, was born in Spencer County, KY., on
February 29, 1836.  He is the son of Joseph H. and Susan (Overton)
Bennett.  The father was born in New Jersey, February 24, 1799, and 
is the son of John Bennett, who removed to Kentucky, and from that
State to Illinois, where he resided at the time of his death.  Joseph H.
followed cabinet-making and carpentering during his active life, and died
November 2, 1887, in Louisville, KY., in his eighty-ninth year.  The
mother was born in Washington County, KY., October 8, 1798, and died
October 22, 1872.  Joseph L. is the eighth of twelve children.  He was
reared on the farm, and acquired his education in the schools of the
neighborhood, attending school four months in the year, and working on
the farm the remaining time.  He lived with his parents until his 
twentieth year, when in Oct. 1856, he immigrated to Savannah, MO.,
where he remained until January, 1857, when he removed to Kansas.
About a year after that he returned to Andrew County, and engaged in
farming, which he has continued up to the present.  In 1879 he embarked
in dealing and breeding Shorthorn cattle, and now handles no other kind.
In 1877 he was appointed collector of Andrew County, for two years, by
the county court.  In 1881 he was appointed county judge of the
county by Gov. Crittenden, to fill a vacancy, and held that important
position for two years, discharging the duties with credit and satisfaction.
He is now president of the State Bank of Savannah.  He was married
August 1, 1857, to Martha S. Selecman, born in Washington County, KY
February 8, 1841.  She is the daughter of Henry Selecman (deceased),
who was one of the prominent farmers of Andrew County.  Both Mr. and
Mrs. Bennett are members of the Baptist Church.