From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1487
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
EDWARD T. BENNETT
Edward T Bennett, an intelligent and enterprising farmer residing on section 24, Wilson township, Rice county, has maintained his home in this portion of the state since 1883. Not only the width of the continent but also the broad Atlantic separates him from his birthplace, which was in Dorsetshire, England. He first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 28th of October, 1849, his parents being Eli and Elizabeth Bennett, who were likewise natives of Dorsetshire. In 1857 they bade farewell to friends and native land and with their children took passage on a sailing vessel at Liverpool, arriving in New York after a passage of six weeks and four days. They landed at Castle Garden and then went to Syracuse, in which locality they located upon a farm, there remaining for three years. In 1860 they went to Peoria county, Illinois, and subsequently took up their abode near Galva, in Henry county, Illinois, and not far from Kewanee. Later the father returned to England, where he died at the age of sixty-six years, but his wife died at Brimfield, Peoria county, Illinois, at the age of sixty-seven. He had followed farming as his life work and had thus provided for the support and comfort of his family. He was reared in the Episcopal church and in his political views, while residing in America, he was a Republican. In his family were six children, five of whom reached years of maturity, Nehemiah having passed away in early life. The others are: Charles, who is living in Peoria, Illinois; Amelia, the wife of H Ryder, of Missouri; Albert, who was a gallant officer of the Civil war, holding the rank of captain, and was a prominent citizen of Marshall county, Kansas, for a number of years before his death; and Edward T, of this review.
Edward T Bennett was a little lad of eight years when he came with his parents to the United States, and at the age of eleven he accompanied them on their removal to Illinois, where he was reared upon a farm and was early instructed in the practical methods of tilling the soil. He acquired his education in the public schools of that state, and after arriving at years of maturity he was united in marriage, at Galva, Henry county, in February, 1869, to Miss Emily Shaw, who has proven to him a devoted wife and helpmeet on the journey of life. She was born in Yorkshire, England, and was a maiden of twelve summers when she came to Illinois. Her parents, Ed and Sarah Shaw, were natives of Yorkshire and the father died in England, but the mother came to this country and spent her last days in Rice county, Kansas, where she passed away, loved and respected by all, by reason of her many good qualities. The marriage of Mr and Mrs Bennett has been blessed with nine children: Allie, now the wife of H Peterson; Louisa, wife of Charles Rawlins; Rosa, a successful teacher of Rice county; and Florence, George, Nehemiah, Ed, Walter and Albert.
After his marriage Mr Bennett located upon a farm in Illinois, where he resided until his removal to Fremont county, Iowa, in 1875. He was then engaged in farming near Shenandoah until 1883, which year witnessed his arrival in Rice county, Kansas. Taking up his abode on section 24, Wilson township, he has here made his home and his vigorous prosecution of his business affairs has brought to him well merited success. Mr Bennett votes with the People’s party, but was formerly identified with the Republican party. For many years he has served on the school board and has done much to advance the cause of education in this locality. He and his wife and daughters are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church and have taken a very active interest in church and Sunday-school work, while his hearty co-operation is ever given to all measures for the general good. He is thoroughly reliable in all business transactions and in every relation of life commands respect and confidence.