Almon Bennett

Surnames: Barker, Brink, Brooks, Brown, Gates, Gardner,

Malone, Osbodby, Page, Peck, Perrin

Regions: Livingston and Jefferson Co., NY; Rock Co., WI

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin,
Publ. 1889 - page 227-228

ALMON BENNETT, a distinguished pioneer of this county, of 1843, and now an honored resident of Beloit, was born in Rockingham, Windsor Co., Vt., Dec. 4, 1816, and is a son of John and Abigail (PERRIN) BENNETT. The former was born in the Green Mountain State, in 1776, and the latter in Pomfret, Conn., in 1786. They were married in the latter State, and settled in Rockingham, Vt., where seven children were born unto them: Emily, became the wife of Cyrus BROOKS, of Chester, Vt., and emigrated with her husband to Brimfield, Peoria Co., Ill, where he became a prominent farmer; Roswell G., a millwright by trade, located at Nunda, Livingston Co., N.Y.; Lucinda became the wife of Jacob OSGODBY, a native of England, who settled in Nunda; Liberty, a farmer by occupation, is residing in Livingston County, N.Y.; Almon is the next in order of birth; Lucia A. wedded John W. PAGE, of Nunda, N.Y.; Millicent M. is the second wife of Jacob OSGODBY, a resident of the same town. In 1835, John BENNETT removed with his family to Nunda, Livingston County, N.Y., where he passed the remainder of his days. He was in the War of 1812, serving in the capacity of teamster, and his father, John BENNETT, who was of Scotch descent, was also a soldier of that war, in which he served with distinction. He laid out the town of Cambridgeport, was a prominent factor in its upbuilding, and erected the first sawmill and gristmill at that place. Our subject grew to manhood in his native county, receiving his early education in the district schools, after which he took a partial course in the academies at Chester and Bennington. At the age of eighteen years, he left the parental roof, and going to Gilsum, N.H., took charge of the sawmill at that place. The following year he received a promotion, becoming foreman of a saw and carding mill, in which line he continued for two years, when in 1843, as above stated, he turned his face to the setting sun and came West to seek his fortune. While en route to Buffalo, he made his first trip on the cars. It was in the month of October, and a heavy sleet had fallen, bending the bushes over the track, so that the train men were forced to cut them down before the train could continue on its way. Arriving at Buffalo, Mr. BENNETT purchased a ticket by boat to Chicago, but on account of the rough weather during the voyage, landed at Milwaukee eight days after embarking. He there secured a passage to Cold Spring, where he had a friend residing, a man by the name of Abraham BRINK, who owned the water-power at that place. He secured employment at Cold Spring, and assisted in building the first gristmill at that point. In 1847, he came to Beloit, where for three years he was employed in the machine shops of BARKER & GARDNER, and at the end of that time, being attracted by the discovery of gold in California, crossed the plains to that country in 1850. While on the Pacific slope, he spent part of his time engaged in mining, and also worked at his trade, returning home in 1852, by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. After his return he embarked in the lumber business, as a member of the firms of GATES & BENNETT, hauling their lumber with teams from Milwaukee. That firm continued in business for five years, when Mr. BENNETT withdrew and engaged as a grain dealer, following that line until 1885, when he lost his warehouse by fire, since which time he has lived a retired life. In 1846, Mr. BENNETT married Miss Calista L. PECK, a native of Jefferson County, N.Y., their union being celebrated at Cold Spring. Two children have been born of their marriage, namely: Hila M., wife of Rev. W. F. BROWN, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of Janesville; and Allie M., wife of B. M. MALONE, attorney at law of Beloit, and district attorney of Rock County. Politically, Mr. BENNETT is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He was a great admirer of Stephen A. Douglas, and a warm friend of Grover Cleveland. He is numbered among the self-made men of Rock County. When he started for the West, he had but $20 in his pocket. Arriving at Rochester, he paid $8 of that sum for a coat, and on reaching Milwaukee had but a very limited sum remaining. His energetic nature at once led him to seek employment, and little by little, by economy and industry, he has accumulated a competency, and is now able to retire from the active duties of life, to spend his declining years in comparative rest from labor. He has always been a worker in the foremost ranks in any enterprise for the benefit of the city, has given liberally in the support of its institutions, and is one of the representative citizens of Beloit, being held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

Submitted by Carol