John R. Bennett
Surnames: Burnham, Carpenter, Holloway, Jordan, Knowlton, Leeds, Luddington,
Miner, Noggle, Spicer, Wager, Whiton
Variations: Ludington, Minor
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 191-192
HON. JOHN R. BENNETT, of Janesville, Wis., an excellent portrait of whom appears upon the opposite page, Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court, is a native of New York, born in Rodman, Jefferson County, Nov. 1, 1820. His parents, Daniel and Deborah Leeds (SPICER) BENNETT, were descended from English Puritan ancestors, who settled in Connecticut about the year 1668. The father was the fourth son of David and Rebecca (MINER) BENNETT, and was born at Stonington, Conn., on the 16th day of February, 1793, while David BENNETT, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a son of Stephen and Mehitable BENNETT. The mother of the judge was a daughter of William and Hannah (LEEDS) SPICER, and a granddaughter of Gideon LEEDS, whose home was in Leeds, England.
The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and received his early education in the common schools. In the fall of 1839 he became a student of the Black River Literary and Religious Institute of Watertown, N.Y., where he fitted himself for the profession of teaching, in which he engaged at intervals until April, 1844, in connection with his attendance at the Institute. At the date mentioned he entered upon a course of law studies under the preceptorship of W. W. WAGER, of Brownville, Jefferson County, N.Y., which he continued for a period of six months. On the 28th day of November, 1844, at Hounsfield, Jefferson County, N.Y., he was married to Miss Elsie L. HOLLOWAY, the daughter of Charles and Chloe HOLLOWAY, whose sweet and gentle influence has ever tended to lead him in the proper and pleasant paths of life, and to be under the guidance of the better angels of his nature; the purity of her life, the wisdom of her counsel and the comfort of her society are still continued to him by a beneficent Providence and are the sources of his greatest happiness.
In the month of April, 1845, Mr. BENNETT commenced reading law in the office of Dyre N. BURNHAM of Sackett's Harbor, N.Y., and pursued his studies with that gentleman until the 8th day of May, 1848, when he was admitted to practice in the courts of that State. On the 2d day of October following, he started for the West to seek a broader field for the exercise of his talents in that attractive region, and the 13th day of the same month reached Janesville, Wis., where he established himself in business. Over forty years have passed since that time, and now, the young lawyer of two score years ago, ripe in the experience of an active and successful practice, honored for the high order of his talents and purity of character, presides in the court where so often he has appeared as an earnest and eloquent advocate. On coming to Janesville, Mr. BENNETT, from the beginning, took a foremost place at the bar of Rock County, and in all these years has been the peer of the brightest and ablest in the profession. When it is remembered that such men as CARPENTER, WHITON, KNOWLTON, NOGGLE AND JORDAN were his contemporaries, the comparison is significant. His life has always been a busy one, both as a lawyer and judge, while in the practice of his profession he was specially noted for the conscientious regard shown for the interest of his clients, in a careful, painstaking preparation of his cases, and uniform candor and honesty. By the strictest integrity and keen sense of professional honor, he won and retained the confidence of the people. In addressing court or jury, his commanding presence, earnestness and ability always inspired respect and secured attention. In the trial of cases he was peculiarly successful, having a quick conception of that which would help or hurt his cause, and possessing a certain reserve force that always seemed to tide him over any sudden difficulty or emergency. His tact in cross-examination was remarkable, and his triumphs in that direction were numerous and marked. His business in the Supreme Court of the State soon became extensive and increased in importance as time advanced. It is said that no edition of Wisconsin Reports, from the first to the last, has been issued that did not connect his name with one or more cases. Endowed with mental faculties of a high order, which have been trained by extensive reading and systematic study, and being gifted with a quaint and pleasant delivery, he is entertaining and instructive in discourse and is a charming conversationalist.
Judge BENNETT is tall of stature and of powerful physique; yet modest and unassuming in manner, possessing quick sensibilities, but with perfect self-command. Rigid and firm in his sense of duty, he yet has a deep, tender and sympathetic nature, and knows how to "temper justice with mercy." As a lawyer he was ever noted for his uniform courtesy to his brethren of the bar, and for respect to the court, as well as for his wisdom in counsel and force as an advocate. As a judge, he is admired and respected for the fairness of his rulings, the impartiality and justice of his decisions and the manly dignity of his presence. In his political sentiments, Judge BENNETT is a consistent Republican, and has faithfully adhered to the principles of that party since its organization. In 1860 he had the honor of being a delegate to the National Republican Convention, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. He was elected District Attorney of Rock County in 1863, was re-elected and served until 1867, and, without being a candidate, was nominated by the Republican State Convention of 1875 for the office of Attorney General of Wisconsin, but was defeated with the rest of the ticket, with the exception of the candidate for Governor, Harrison LUDDINGTON, who was elected by a small majority. Mr. BENNETT was elected to the bench of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in April, 1882, by a large majority, being the almost unanimous choice of the bar, which position he has since filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In the Spring of 1888 he was again elected, without opposition.
Reared under strictly religious influences, and possessing a deep veneration for the Holy Scriptures, Judge BENNETT has from early youth given the subject of spiritual life, and the relation of the man to his Creator, deep thought and earnest consideration. "He is a New Churchman or Swedenborgian", as the members of the denomination are more frequently called. They hold that the Sacred Scriptures, unlike all human composition, contain within the letter a spiritual sense, as far above the literal sense in beauty, brightness and power as the immortal soul excels the perishable body in which it groans in this life, being burdened. He counts it a fortunate circumstance that his ancestors, so far as he has any knowledge of them, were deeply religious; and for the pious instruction received from his parents, who now, he trusts, occupy the everlasting abodes of the blest, he is under a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 9-10
Surnames: Burnham, Congor, Eldredge, Halloway, Wager
JUDGE JOHN R. BENNETT (deceased) was one of the most prominent men Rock County ever had within its confines, and was Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit from 1882 until the day of his death, June 9, 1890.
Judge John R. BENNETT was born in Rodman, Jefferson Co., N.Y., Nov. 1, 1820 and his parents were natives of Connecticut, descended in a direct line from Puritans who settled in New England in the very earliest days of the country. After completing his studies at the district schools, Judge BENNETT entered the Black River Literary and Religious Institute, Watertown, N.Y., where he qualified himself for teaching, and engaged in that occupation for several years. In 1844 he entered upon the study of law, under W. W. WAGER, an attorney of Brownville, N.Y., and later studied with D. N. BURNHAM, Esq., of Sackett's Harbor, N.Y., being admitted to practice in the courts of New York in May, 1848.
In October, 1848, Judge BENNETT came to Wisconsin, and located at Janesville, engaging in the practice of his profession. Within a very short period he took a high position as a trial lawyer and advocate, and in 1862 was elected district attorney of Rock County, serving in that capacity for two consecutive terms with a high order of ability. In April, 1882, he was elected to the office of Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, to succeed Judge Harmon D. CONGOR, was re-elected in 1888, and again in 1894.
On November 28, 1844, at Houndsfield, N.Y., Judge BENNETT married Elsie L. HOLLOWAY, and for nearly fifty years she was his faithful, devoted wife; she died May 28, 1893, at her home in Janesville. On June 9, 1899, while in full possession of his faculties, Judge BENNETT passed away, leaving a wide circle of friends, as well as associates of the Bar, to mourn his loss.
Not only was Judge BENNETT an able attorney, and an astute and just judge, but, socially and in his home, he was kind, gentle and greatly admired. Although his educational advantages were not what he had desired, he ever sought to improve his already well-stored mind, and at an advanced age enjoyed translating Greek.
On April 24, 1900, memorial services were held at the court house in Janesville, and a portrait of this honored judge was presented to the Rock County Bar Association by his daughters. All of the leading representatives of the Bar were present, and touching testimonials were read by Judge BENNETT's associates, who thus assembled to honor his memory. B. B. ELDREDGE read the memorial, in which the highest praise was accorded Judge BENNETT, and an eloquent eulogy paid his remarkable attainments. A certified copy of the same was delivered to his family.