Alfred Leman Bennett

BENNETT, GIDEON, HUNGERFORD, KERRICK, NEGUS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/12/2005 at 18:33:57

Alfred Leman Bennett is a native son of Madison county, Iowa, as he was torn about a mile from the farm upon which he now resides in Douglas township, March 4, 1869. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Gideon) Bennett, were horn respectively in Marion county, Indiana, and in Ohio. The father's birth occurred October 22, 1835, and his death in Madison county, Iowa, on the 14th of December, 1905, but the mother, who was born April 24, 1841, is still living here. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Bennett, was born in Fayette, Pennsylvania, in 1800 and in 1851 removed to this county from Indiana, where he had previously settled, making the trip with ox teams and wagons. He was well-to-do and brought five thousand dollars in gold with him. Generosity was one of his salient characteristics and at times when his neighbors had no crops, nor money with which to buy, he gave them of his store, although he might have sold his grain elsewhere at a dollar a bushel. He became an extensive landowner, holding title to over one thousand acres. He was very public-spirited and took an active part in the betterment of conditions in his locality. He gave the ground for the first school building in Madison township and served as supervisor. His life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and he made further improvements on his place from time to time. His first residence was a log cabin, in which he lived in true pioneer fashion. His son Andrew drove a team on the journey to Iowa and in the early days when deer and elk were plentiful he caught several young elk and broke them-to drive. Many times he drove them into Winterset but finally traded them to his brother in Missouri for mules. Like his father, he had no political aspirations but was very active and energetic and did much to assist his poor neighbors. The big snow storm of 1855 caused the family considerable hardship and there were the usual discomforts of living in an unsettled region. There were eighteen children in the family, of whom he was the fifth in order of birth.

Our subject's maternal grandparents were Henry and Nancy Gideon, who came to Iowa in October, 1854. The grandfather was born September 28, 1798, and the grandmother September 28, 1806. They had a family of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, all of whom were born in Ohio, namely: Jacob; Alfred; Sarah Ann, who died August 3, 1894; Joseph; James, who died August 31, 1903; Peter; Valentine; Sanford, who died December 28, 1902; David, who died October 3, 1861; Mary E.; and Oliver. The father of these children died on the 22d of November, 1882, and the mother passed away July 5, 1869. Their son Oliver was married October 16, 1867, to Mary E. Kerrick, by whom he had five children, four sons and one daughter. They made their home on the banks of North river and during the flood of July 4, 1876, their house was washed away and the wife and three children were drowned. Oliver, with the two remaining children, managed to hold on to a little green sapling all night before he was rescued by a neighbor, William Terry. A search was then made for the other members of the family, and the wife and two children were found about a mile down the stream, but the body of the baby was not recovered until the following day. They were all laid to rest in what is known as the Bennett graveyard.

Alfred Leman Bennett attended school in the first schoolhouse built in Douglas township and took advantage of the educational opportunities of that early day. When twenty-two years of age he began farming in Douglas township and with the exception of the year 1892 has continued to reside there. He owns one hundred acres of excellent land and in addition to raising the usual crops is a stockman. He keeps the farm work well in hand, sees that all necessary repairs and buildings are made and that the fields are in a high state of cultivation. As he is efficient and prevents as far as possible all waste of time and energy he has time after his farm work is done to devote to outside affairs. He possesses the family trait of dislike of publicity, but is always in the front rank when there is anything to be done for the good of the community. He has no political aspirations, but his neighbors, who recognize his ability,, have elected him to a number of township offices.

In 1890 Mr. Bennett was married to Miss Ola Negus, a native of Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa, born December 28, 1871, a daughter of Obed Warren and Hannah (Hungerford) Negus. Her father was born in Fabius, New York, May 31, 1826, a son of Thaddeus Negus and a descendant of revolutionary stock, his ancestors having fought for the independence of the colonies. He passed away at Atlantic, Iowa, on the 20th of April, 1895. His wife, who was a relative of Colonel Bob Ingersoll, was born March 4, 1848, and is still living at Minneapolis, Minnesota. The grandfather of Mrs. Bennett was related to Colonel Wallace of the English army. Mr. Negus in early life attended the schools of Fabius, New York, and was a classmate of General Slocum. He also had an appointment to West Point, but, having lost an eye through an accident on a hunting trip, he was unable to pass the entrance physical examination. He learned the shoemaker's trade. Upon his removal from New York he settled in Galva, Illinois, where he engaged in the hotel business, but in 1869 went to Jefferson, Iowa, and in partnership with 0. J. White conducted a boot and shoe store. He also became a land owner there. In 1872 he located in Des Moines, where he followed his trade, being very skillful in the making of fine boots and shoes, but at the end of two years came to Winterset, where he remained until 1893, when he removed to Atlantic and continued to follow his trade there until his death in 1895. He was quite active in local republican circles and while living in Galva, Illinois, served as mayor of that municipality. He was also at one time United States marshal. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born the following children: Josephine, whose birth occurred on the 2d of December, 1891; James Warren, born August 29, 1893; and Andrew Floyd, born December 21, 1912.

Mr. Bennett is a member of the Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., of Winterset, and also holds membership in the Odd Fellows. The spirit of benevolence and kindness has found expression in his daily life, he is at all times ready to assist a neighbor, and there are many in the county who are indebted to him for encouragement or material help given when they were in need. He has worthily carried on the family tradition of public-spirited service and there is no more valued citizen in Douglas township.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915, by Herman Mueller.