pioneer surveyor, folk humorist, b. Allegany County, N.Y. In 1854 he moved to Wisconsin, settling briefly in Hortonville, and in 1855 moved to Clintonville where he farmed and studied surveying. During the Civil War he served in the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry (1863-1865). Returning to Clintonville at the close of the war, he spent much of his time surveying and hiking through the northern Wisconsin forests. He named many of the lakes in the area and his knowledge of northern pine timber stands was widely recognized. After 1878 he was employed by the Milwaukee, Lake Shore,&Western R.R. (now the Chicago&North Western) in spotting right-of-way lands and later as inspector of tracks and bridges. One of the most colorful figures in the area, Bennett was known for his tall tales, humorous antics, and warm-hearted generosity. He was looked upon as the factotum of Clintonville and cheerfully undertook to perform any and all tasks whether in the field of medicine, dentistry, or the marriage ceremony. He was an ardent Democrat and held various local offices. N. D. Diedrich and J. B. Gehl, Hist. of Clintonville . . . (n.p., 1937); J. M. Ware, Standard Hist. of Waupaca Co. (2 vols., Chicago, 1917); WPA MS.Learn More
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
