George Nelson Bennett

BEEDLE, BENNETT, GIDDEON, MURPHY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/9/2004 at 20:38:04

George N. Bennett is successfully engaged in farming an excellent tract of land on sections 26 and 27, Madison township. He is a native of Douglas township, this county, born April 15, 1874, of the marriage of Andrew and Mary E. (Giddeon) Bennett, the former born in Indiana and the latter in Ohio. The father became a resident of Madison county, Iowa, in 1852, accompanying his parents on their removal here in that year. His father entered land in Douglas township and devoted the remainder of his life to its cultivation. As soon as old enough Andrew Bennett began farming for himself and became the owner of land in Douglas township, which he improved and cultivated until his demise, which occurred in December, 1906, when he was seventy-one years of age. His widow survives at the age of seventy-three and resides with our subject.

George N. Bennett was reared under the parental roof and his youth was spent in much the same manner as that of other farmers' sons, as he attended the district schools, assisted his father with the work of the homestead and also found time for outdoor sports. He remained at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, farming the home place in partnership with his father. He then rented land on his own account in Madison township and after operating it for seven years located upon a farm of one hundred acres on sections 23 and 22, Madison township, belonging to his mother. For the past six years he has operated this place, which is a valuable property, the land being fertile and everything about the farm being in excellent condition. His work is done at the proper time and as he employs practical methods and uses up-to-date machinery he is rewarded with excellent crops in their season. His stock is of a high grade and he finds that stock-raising is a lucrative phase of farming.

Mr. Bennett was married in October, 1896, to Miss Belle Beedle, a daughter of Abe and Rachel (Murphy) Beedle, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. They were among the early settlers in Madison county, coming here with their respective parents, both families settling in Union township. Mr. Beedle was reared and educated here and since coming to mature years has operated a farm in Union township. His wife is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have become the parents of seven children: Earl, seventeen years of age; Kyle, a lad of fourteen; Ward, nine years old; Lelia five years of age; Millard and Marion, twins, who died in June, 1908; and Le Roy, who passed away in September, 1912.

Mr. Bennett is an adherent of the progressive party and holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In all relations of life he has proved upright and honorable and is justly accounted one of the forces for advancement and righteousness in his community.

Taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915"