John Bennett

JOHN BENNETT is a prominent farmer of Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas, and is located on the northwest quarter of section 32, township 34, range 19, where he possesses a very valuable piece of farming property. He was born in North Wales in 1834, and is a son of John and Jane (Owen) Bennett.

John Bennett, Sr., was born and married in North Wales. He was a farmer by occupation and lived to reach the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. His union with Jane Owen resulted in the birth of the following children: John; Elizabeth; Edward; Jane; Richard; Thomas; Ann; William; Evan; and Mary. Mrs. Bennett was also born in North Wales and died at the age of sixty-six years.

John Bennett, the subject of this sketch, lived in his native country until 1867, when he came to the United States, accompanied by his brother, Edward. After landing at Castle Garden, New York City, they traveled west to Putnam county, Ohio, where John purchased a farm, which he still owns. He made Ohio his home until he settled in Kansas, having followed railroading for twenty years, during his early life. Mr. Bennett worked in England under the first railroad secretary in the world, Braithwaite Poole, on the Burton Head and Hoylake Railway. Mr. Poole was secretary of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, said to be the first railroad operated in the history of steam locomotion. He arrived, in Kansas in March, 1888, and located on his present farm in Elm Grove township, Labette county, - the northwest quarter of section 32, township 34, range 19. He carries on general farming, although he rents a part of his land. In politics, he is a Republican, having cast his first presidential vote for General Grant. He served as township trustee in Putnam county, Ohio, for a period of twelve years. An industrious man, of frugal habits, his affairs are in a very prosperous condition. He is possessed of many excellent traits of character and has many friends in the township.

Mr. Bennett was first married to Ann Garner, who was born in North Wales, in 1824, and died in 1891, leaving one daughter, Ann Jane, whose union with Albert Reece resulted in the birth of three children: Mabel, Anna M. and Mary. Mr. Bennett's present wife was Mrs. Mary C. (Morris) Garner, who was born in New York State in 1853, and has one son, J. R. Garner. Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Presbyterian church.