My Genealogy Hound

William Degress Bennett. In the development of the agricultural resources of Posey county, which has resulted in her fame as a corn producing district, opportunity has been offered to many not only to cause the dense woodland to bloom with waving-grain, to realize substantial returns in a financial way, but to become leaders and teachers among their fellow men. Among those who have been active in the development of Point township from the time of the removal of the forests to the present is numbered the subject of this review. William D. Bennett is a native of Kentucky and was born near Bell’s Coal Mine, Crittendon county, March 1, 1857, a son of James Madison and Mary E. (Humphreys) Bennett, both of whom were born in Tennessee. The Bennett family are of English ancestry. Prior to the War of the Revolution, three brothers, Nicholas L., Walker Marion and Emory Hughes Bennett, immigrated to the Virginia colony, and subsequently all three served in the Continental Line in the struggle which resulted in the formation of the Union. These brothers were the founders of the family in America. William D. Bennett is the fourth in descent from Emory Hughes Bennett, the Revolutionary soldier, which is as follows: Emory Hughes Bennett, born in England, resident of Virginia colony, a soldier of the Colonial army; Emory Hughes Bennett, Jr., his son, plantation owner of Tennessee (2); Emory Hughes Bennett, second, his son, born in Tennessee, resident of Kentucky and an early settler in Point township, Posey county, a blacksmith by trade, and father of our subject (3). He was born near Nashville, on December 11, 1834. He served with Morgan’s force in the Civil war, was captured by the Union forces, and remained a prisoner at Chicago for twenty-two months, refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the Union in order to secure his release. On the conclusion of hostilities he followed his trade of blacksmith, locating in Kentucky, and came to Posey county in 1875. With his son, William D., he bought 100 acres of land, at that time covered with forest. The tract was located in Point township, and is a part of the farm now owned by our subject. The elder Bennett followed his trade until his death, and the shop was operated for some years afterward by his son. He married when a young man, Mary E. Humphrey, a native of Tennessee, and whose father was a plantation owner and man of influence. The family originated in England, was founded in America during the Colonial period, and several members were active supporters of the movement which resulted in independence and served as well with the Colonial forces. Mr. Bennett’s death occurred on December 28, 1887, and that of his wife on May 20, 1902. They were the parents of the following children: William D.; Jane Anne, wife of Jeremiah Kelley, a veteran of the Civil war, and resident of Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Kelley died in 1891; Emory Hughes Bennett, a retired farmer of Mt. Vernon; Fannie M., wife of Walter A. Curtis, farmer of Point township; John K. Bennett, farmer of Point township, and Walker Marion Bennett, also a farmer of Point township. William D. Bennett attended the country schools of his native State, the time spent in securing an education being very limited. From his father he learned the trade of blacksmithing, which he followed both in Kentucky and Indiana. Upon his coming to Posey county, in 1875, when, with his father, he purchased a tract of timber land, much of his time was spent in clearing the tract for farming purposes. The hardships incident to reaching the goal—a producing farm—were many; privations equally plenty, but he had the pluck, courage and energy necessary to win out. His farm, one of the most productive ones per acre in his township, is the return for many years of hard labor, privation and possibly some loss of enthusiasm. His holdings comprise 130 acres. The improvements are substantial, the farm well stocked and its owner is considered one of the successful men of his township, as well as one of the most influential. He has been a lifelong Democrat, is active in the affairs of that organization in his district, but not inclined to accept office. He is a member of Point Lodge, No. 779, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a liberal supporter of the Methodist church. Mr. Bennett married, on April 3, 1887, Louisa, the daughter of the late Henry Heinekamp, a native of Germany, and a carpenter by trade and a resident of Mt. Vernon. He was accidentally killed on March 26, 1889, by being thrown from his wagon, which ran over him. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are the parents of the following children: Annie Christina, Cora Elgin, Emory Hughes, and George Washington. One child, a son, died in infancy.