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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dallas County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John O. Bennett deserves honorable mention as one of the prosperous farmers of Dallas County, Mo. His birth occurred in Clark County, Ill., December 26, 1842, and he is a son of Philip and Ann (Marrs) Bennett, who were Kentuckians. After becoming grown the father went to Clark County, Ill., where he entered land and made him a home, and was one of the pioneer settlers. He was married in Illinois, his wife having been reared principally in Indiana, and by her he became the father of eight children: William M., John C., Marion F., Lafayette, Pauline J., Philip A., Emerson and Margaret A. The parents immigrated to Dallas County, Mo., in 1855, and located in Washington Township, where they made their home for four years; then sold out and moved one mile south of Buffalo, where the father resided until his death in 1886, at the age of seventy-five years, three months and five days. The mother survives him, and is in her seventy-sixth year. Since about thirteen years of age John C. Bennett has been a resident of Dallas County. He obtained a common-school education, and at the breaking out of the war served three months in the Dallas County Home Guards, in Capt. Eldredge’s company, of Col. Edwards’ regiment, and in 1862 enlisted in the Missouri State Militia Cavalry, in Capt. Worley’s company, of Col. Richardson’s regiment, the regiment being consolidated in 1863 with the Fourth Regiment, Col. Hall commanding, he being a member of Company L. In the fall of 1864 he re-enlisted in Company H, Thirteenth Missouri, United States Cavalry, commanded by Col. Catherwood, and received his discharge in May, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., the latter part of the time being spent in quelling the Indians in Kansas and Colorado. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Neosho, Newtonia, Cane Hill and Prairie Grove, and also participated in many sharp skirmishes; was with the command on Price’s raid, and was present when Maj. Gens. Marmaduke and Cabell and a regiment of Confederate infantry were captured. After nearly five years’ service he returned to his home and spent the summer and fall in school, and during the winter crossed the plains to the mountains and back, and in the spring of 1867 was married, and located on the tract of land where he now lives. He has about 200 acres under cultivation, and about 480 acres in the tract, and gives much of his attention to stock raising and dealing in stock. March 31, 1867, he wedded Miss Rachel Wright, by whom he has eight children: Emma (wife of John F. Fowler), Ella, Sheridan, Sherman, Emmett, John, Odessa and Ressa. The family attend and are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Bennett has served five years as county assessor, and is a member of the G. A. R. He is a Republican in politics, and his motto is, do unto others as you would have others to do unto you—to say but little and do a great deal.

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This family biography is one of 74 biographies included in The History of Dallas County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dallas County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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