Bennett, John

BENNETT

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 11/14/2007 at 22:11:35

John Bennett, County Treasurer, Council Bluffs, is one of that class of citizens of Pottawattamie County whose name is familiar to almost every citizen in the county, and who is very frequently spoken of as one of the first settlers, and the assertion is a true one, as in 1853, when Council Bluffs was but a small frontier trading or outfitting point, he, with is uncle, John Keller, became residents of the place. None, not even the most enthusiastic in their predictions, ever supposed that a quarter of a century could make so much difference as to change the rough frontier town to the city of to-day. Equally important and progressive have been the changes in the lives of some of the first comers to the town, and of this number, the life of Mr. Bennett is perhaps as remarkable as any. Born in Allegheny City, Penn., in July, 1832, he was left an orphan at six years of age in care of his uncle, John Keller, his father dying when he was two years old, and his mother when he was six. His uncle becoming a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, the most of his early life was spent and his education received in that city. In 1853, as before stated, he became a resident of Council Bluffs. He spent about three years as clerk in a store, and then engaged in the lumber trade, at which he continued until 1862; from that date until 1867, he was a salesman in the store of J. M. Philips. The following three years he spent in the grocery trade on his own account, and onlyquit it to accept the office of the Auditor of the County, an office which he filled with so much credit as to be re-elected to the same position for five consecutive terms of two years each. AS a further honor, in October, 1881, he was elected to the office of Treasurer of the county, for a two years' term, and is now engaged in the discharge of his duties. He has been dependent almost wholly upon his own resources, and though he labored under many disadvantages when young, he now stands among the substantial citizens of the county, financially, and and by an honorable career, he has builded for himself a reputation for which he may be allowed a pardonable pride. (From the 1882 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa)