Obituary: Marquette County, Wisconsin: Agnes BENNETT ************************************************************************ Submitted by Joan Benner, April 2008 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ From the Central Union [Westfield, Marquette County, Wisconsin], March 17, 1922. Condensed from a much longer obit on Page 1. A Pioneer Gone--Mrs. Agnes Russell Bennett Died March 11, 1922 Agnes Russell was born in the town of Raleigh near Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland, Dec. 2, 1830. One brother preceded the family to America by two years, and then Agnes, with her father, one sister, and four brothers left Ireland May 15, 1848, and arrived in Buffalo New York July 4, 1848, being six weeks and three days on the ocean. The family spent two years at Westfield, New York, leaving there April 15, 1850, coming by boat to Milwaukee, thence by team to Watertown, and then by ox team to Russell Flats, where they arrived April 28, 1850. Miss Nancy walking most of the way to avoid the jolting of the ox cart. Here began that pioneer life in the 'shanty' that stood right on the Indian trail, and later in the log cabin where they spent most of the first winter before they could get windows for their new home. Agnes Russell was married to John Bennett, in October 1856. who died April 24, 1902. The family remained in Russell Flats, on the old farm now known as the John Robinson farm, until April 1895, when they moved to Westfield. Russell Flats folks being then affiliated with the Oxford Presbyterian church, the family placed their membership there, and the record shows that Mrs. Bennett came by letter of transfer to the Westfield Church September 6, 1896. Here she was a loyal and faithful member the remainder of her long life of ninety-one years and over. Though not robust, really an invalid most of her life, her hands were ever busy helping... Having no children of her own, she was Aunt Nancy to all and mother to some, John Robinson, a nephew, filling the place of son to her for many years. Uzell Reeves, of Alberta, Canada, also grew to manhood in her home, enjoying a mother's care. For the past twenty-seven years she has lived in her home in Westfield, with her niece, Mrs. Frank Haney and her family. Here her eyes closed to the world at four o'clock in the morning March 11, 1922. The funeral service was conducted by the Pastor of the Presbyterian church. Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery, beside the remains of her husband.