Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)),pp. 676-77: "JASON BENNETT, farmer and
stock-raiser, resides on section 26, High Point Township, where he owns 200
acres of land. He was born in South Carolina, April 21, 1811, son of Roland and
Elizabeth Bennett. He was reared a farmer, and came to Decatur County in 1853,
first entering eighty acres, then adding forties from time to time, until he has
his present large farm. He was married in Indiana, in 1832, to Lizzie A. Abbott,
born in Pennsylvania, in 1815. Their children are -–Roland, of New Brunswick;
Hiram, of Decatur County; Samantha A., wife of John Baker of Smith County,
Kansas, and John K. When Mr. Bennett first commenced life for himself he worked
out by day’s work, then rented ground. When he was married he was poor -
packed all he had under his arm. Both were in quite poor health. He lived ten
years on White River, Indiana, and also in Schuyler County, near Springfield,
for a while. He lost one entire year from sickness. He not unfrequently chopped
wood in order to earn a little money. At one time he obtained a job in the First
National Bank, for which he received $1 a day, then obtained employment in a
saw-mill. He lived ten or twelve years in Schuyler County, where he met with
financial success, although he lost three years from sickness. He removed to
Sangamon County, where he managed a large farm for John Gillette. He at one time
owned 400 acres of land. Mr. Bennett has held the office of school director and
supervisor, and is one of the County Board to organize schools. He is a member
of the Christian faith."
(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)