Untitled Document

CAPT. W.C. BENNETT

Capt. W. C. Bennett, Secretary and Treasurer of the Barnard & Leas Manufacturing Company, at Moline, is a native of Fayette Co., Pa., and was bora Aug. 10, 1836. His parents, Elisha and Elizabeth Bennett, were of the good old Quaker persuasion. His father's family for generations had been residents of Pennsylvania . The mother was born in that State, but of English parentage.

William C. came to this State in 1856, and made his home in La Salle until the year 1861, when he removed to Chicago . Early in 1862, he enlisted at St. Louis in the gunboat service, and in what was known as the Mississippi flotilla. He was on construction duty at St. Louis one year; was Master Mate, then promoted as Ensign and subsequently to the position of executive officer of the iron-clad war vessel "Choctaw." He participated in the siege of Vicksburg , the opening of the Mississippi , and the Red River expedition. In the spring of 1864, soon after the Red River expedition, he resigned to return home on account of the death of his father. In the spring of 1865, Capt. Bennett entered the employ of the Northern Line Packet Company, plying between St. Louis and St. Paul . He served first as clerk and was then promoted as Captain of the steamer, and continued with that company until 1868.

During the year last named, Capt. Bennett severed his connection with that company, and engaged with Deere & Co., of Moline , as book-keeper. He remained with that company until Jan. 1, 1872, when he became a stockholder in the Barnard & Leas Manufacturing Company and was elected secretary and treasurer of the same, a position he has held continuously since. Capt. Bennett has served in the above mentioned capacity for 13 years, and has proved a most energetic, capable and efficient officer. Possessed of good executive ability and thorough business habits, combined with a disposition to "get there " when he undertakes a thing, he has by a judicious management of his department aided materially in developing the important manufacturing institution with which he is connected.

matrimonial alliance was formed in La Salle in 1858, with Miss Emily Demerrilt, whose death occurred within eight months from the day of her wedding. His second wife was Miss Florence Demerritt, a sister of his former wife, and their wedding occurred at La Salle in 1862. By this union he had four sons and one daughter: Frank E., born Jan. 20, 1865 ; Edwin M., born Oct. 23, 1868 , died Dec. 3, 1879 ; William D., born Nov. 26, 1875 ; Henry S., born Feb. 20, 1877 ; and Margaret, born Dec. 10, 1879 . The wife and mother died in February, 1881, and Capt. Bennett was again married, to Miss Sara Reed, of Geneseo, Ill., the date of their wedding being Feb. 15, 1883 . They have one child born of their union, a daughter, Florence Winnifred, the date of whose birth is Aug. 10, 1884 . Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Congregational Church.

In his youth, Mr. Bennett imbibed extreme views on the subject of African slavery and became a pronounced Abolitionist. His first vote for a Presidential candidate was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Believing that the Republican party was the best exponent of his principles, he has continued to work with that organization. While not ambitious of official distinction, yet he takes a warm interest in political contests, and can always be relied on as an influential worker in the cause of his party. He has always been a potent factor in the cause of education, and for 12 years has been a member of the Board of Education, and for half that period President of the Board

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

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Illinois Ancestors

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