Adair County Iowa

George S. Bennett, who is now living retired in Greenfield, has been a resident of Adair county for the past three decades and has been long and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits here.  His birth occurred in Kane county, Illinois, on the 13th of December, 1844, his parents being Richard and Electa (Hitchcock) Bennett, both of whom were natives of New York.  In the year 1844 they removed westward to Illinois, first locating in Kane county and subsequently to Stark county, that state.  In 1848 they took up their abode on a farm in Wapello county, Iowa, but later disposed of the property and removed to Keokuk county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.  They became the parents of seven children, all of whom are yet living.

George S. Bennett acquired a common-school education in his youth and when nineteen years of age enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company F, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command for eighteen months.  He participated in the battle of Spanish Fort, which continued for thirteen days and nights, and fortunately escaped injury, although often in the thickest of the fight and never faltering in the performance of the task assigned him.  After being mustered out at Davenport he returned to the parental roof, remaining with his father until twenty-four years of age, when he married and established a home of his own.  In 1885 he came to Adair county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Richland township which he operated continuously and successfully for twenty-two years.  On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought a quarter section of land in Orient township, which is still in his possession and is a highly improved, productive and valuable tract. At the present time, however, he is living retired in Greenfield, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.

Mr. Bennett has been married twice.  His first wife bore the maiden name of Mary Sunderland, was a native of Jefferson county, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Matilda Sunderland.  By this union there were five children, as follows: William S., who is a resident of Adair county; Elizabeth B., the wife of J. N. Caps; Earl S., living in this county; James A., who makes his home in Rock Island county, Illinois; and Matilda, deceased.  The wife and mother passed away on the 8th of August, 1890, and in 1892 Mr. Bennett was again married, his second union being with Miss Margaretta Patterson, a native of New York and a daughter of R. C. and Elizabeth (Stewart) Patterson.  Her parents, natives of Pennsylvania, were residents of the Empire state for some time but subsequently removed to Warren, Illinois, and there spent the remainder of their lives. To them were born six children, all of whom yet survive.  Mrs. Bennett is a woman of liberal education who followed the profession of teaching for twenty years.
In his political views Mr. Bennett is a stalwart republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party.  He has acted as school director and road supervisor of his township and has proved an able and faithful public servant.  He still maintains pleasant relations with his old soldier comrades as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in matters of citizenship has ever been as loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south.  Mr. and Mrs. Bennett attend the services of the Presbyterian church, are widely recognized as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives and enjoy the friendship and regard of all who know them.