McDonough ILGenWeb

BENNETT, John Riley, a prosperous farmer in Industry Township, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 10, 1845. He is a son of George and Matilda (Brown) Bennett, both natives of Ohio, the latter having been born in Warren County. The maternal grandfather was John Brown, a native of Pennsylvania. George Bennett moved with his family, in a three-horse wagon from Ohio to McDonough County, Ill., in 1850, and settled on a 120-acre tract of land which he bought in Industry Township, also becoming owner of ninety acres of timber land in Industry Township. He met his death in 1885, through an accident caused by the running away of a pair of horses, and his widow died two years afterward.

Mr. Bennett was the only child of his parents, although he has a half-sister, Belle (Mrs. Miner), living near Knox City. Mo., who is the mother of two children, Blanche and Georgia. Mr. Bennett remained with his father until the latter's death, when he bought his half-sister's interest in the farm. He has always lived on this place with the exception of one year spent on another farm in the same township. In early youth he attended the common schools of his neighborhood, meanwhile working on the home farm. On July 4, 1866, he was united in marriage with Columbia Anna Sanders, born in Rushville, Ill., where she received her early education in the public graded schools. She is the daughter of James and Maria (Lewis) Sanders, natives of Illinois and Alabama, respectively. Her maternal grandparents were Abram and Elizabeth (Davis) Lewis, natives of the latter State. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett had one child, Edgar, who was born November 4, 1867, and who died at the age of two years and five months. They also have an adopted daughter, Cora (Mrs. A. E. Rush), wife of A. E. Rush, a jeweler of Macomb, and who is the mother of two children: Bennett, aged ten years, and Alfred aged seven. Mr. Bennett is held in high esteem as a man of strict integrity and a useful member of the community. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, a Republican.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 824-825, extracted 19 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass.