Leon Julian Bennett 1871-1936

BENNETT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/11/2010 at 22:20:19

Death Claims L. J. Bennett and Prominent Local Citizens
With the death of L. J. Bennett last Friday [July 17, 1936] night at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Estherville lost one of her long time business men, a perfect gentleman and a friend of all who knew him.

Mr. Bennett was rather reserved in his ways. He was thorough in his business and honest and upright with all who had business transactions with him. He was always willing to do his part in all civic undertakings. He acted on the city council in order to take his responsibility along that line with the rest. While not what would be termed an active man, he did his part when asked – did it willingly and always well.

Mr. Bennett left here to attend a directors’ meeting of the Lehigh Sewer Pipe Company at Fort Dodge. From there he went to Des Moines for medical attention. Soon after his arrival at the hospital he suffered a stroke from which he never recovered. His condition was critical from the start and he never regained consciousness during his illness of a few days.

Mr. Bennett was born in West Charleston, Vermont, in 1871. He lived there during his boyhood and was educated in the east. He came west thirty-seven years ago, locating at Forest City, then to Bricelyn, Minn., and then to Estherville, always employed with the Northern Lumber Company. He was a close friend of G. A. Lyon, president of the company, who also came from Vermont.

Mr. Bennett leaves his widow and two children, Parker and Marvel, to mourn his death.

The funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the home with Rev. F. W. Ortmeyer officiating. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery.

Rev. Ortmeyer’s sermon was taken from the 23rd Psalm. A male quartette composed of Ray Minkler, O. F. Manthe, Ed. Broms and Wayne Huntsinger sang three of Mr. Bennett’s favorite hymns, “Lead Kindly Light,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Abide With Me.” (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, July 22, 1936)