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John Wesley Bennett

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John Wesley Bennett

Birth	:	4 May 1844 Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan, USA
Death	:	17 Dec 1918 Butte County, California, USA
Burial	:	Berry Cemetery, Quincy, Lewis County, USA
Description	:	JOHN WESLEY BENNETT - In California, more than in any other state in the Union, the vigorous prosperity of the state is directly traceable to those pioneers who came out of the East to help build up the West, leaving behind them all the comforts of civilization, to confront a life of untiring effort, full of hardships and rough edges, but with promise of rich rewards to spur them on with renewed energy when they found their spirits flagging. Among those who chose Butte County as the scene of their activities, John Wesley Bennett, now located on his fertile ranch... Read More	JOHN WESLEY BENNETT - In California, more than in any other state in the Union, the vigorous prosperity of the state is directly traceable to those pioneers who came out of the East to help build up the West, leaving behind them all the comforts of civilization, to confront a life of untiring effort, full of hardships and rough edges, but with promise of rich rewards to spur them on with renewed energy when they found their spirits flagging. Among those who chose Butte County as the scene of their activities, John Wesley Bennett, now located on his fertile ranch near Cana, has become one of the thrifty and successful agriculturists of the Sacramento Valley. Though his responsibility may not be as large as that of some of his neighbors, yet he has followed the even tenor of his way and, as he has prospered, he has added to his holdings until he is accounted one of the successful men of the county. Born at Coldwater, Branch County, Mich., May 4, 1844, J. Wesley Bennett is a son of the late Hiram Bennett, a native of Fairfield, N.Y., where the latter was married to Christiana Hull, also a native of that state. The father moved to Michigan with his wife and five children and settled in Branch County, where he continued his farm pursuits. His wife died on their farm in Michigan in 1848. When news of the discovery of gold in California reached Michigan, the elder Bennett was fired with a desire to try his fortunes in the mines, but was dissuaded from his purpose by his oldest daughter, Mrs. Myra Page, who declared the younger children were too small to undertake the trip across the plains, and he gave it up. In 1854 the family moved to Iowa and settled in Muscatine County, where he farmed for five years. In 1859, when the Pike's Peak gold excitement ran high, Mr. Bennett outfitted with two wagons, three yoke of oxen to each wagon; three cows, and the necessary provender, and with his four sons, Isaac, James Nelson, Marcus, J. Wesley, and one married daughter, Mrs. Lucretia Williams, started on May 9, via Omaha for the supposed Eldorado. On the way they met so many people returning to their homes "flat broke," who pronounced the gold mines a failure, that the Bennett outfit decided to go no further in that direction. Then Mr. Bennett said, "I have always wanted to go to California and will never have a better opportunity nor be better fixed to make the long journey." They all decided to come West together and changed their course to the land of the father's desire. He had a span of horses which he traded for three yoke of oxen and a wagon and they made the trip without mishap. Arriving in Butte County in September, 1859, Mr. Bennett took up a claim near what is now Nord and began farming. He traded this claim in 1862 to his son, J. Nelson Bennett, for forty acres near Laporte, Ind., and returned East via Panama. He remained four years and in the fall of 1866 again started for California, coming across the plains. It was late in the season and upon arriving at Council Bluffs, he decided to winter there and continue the journey in the spring. He never resumed his trip for while waiting for spring to open up he was accidentally killed by being kicked by a horse. His family consisted of: Mrs. Myra Page, who died in New York; Hiram, who died in Nebraska; Isaac, who died in Chico leaving two children, one of whom, Mrs. Mamie Entler, is living in San Francisco; James Nelson, who died in Butte County; Mrs. Lucretia Williams, who lives in Chico Vecino; Mary Matilda, Mrs. Culver, of San Francisco; Mark J., who was born in 1840 and died in California in 1878; and John Wesley. John Wesley Bennett was reared in Michigan until 1854, and while living there attended school in a crude log cabin used for a school house. In 1854 he accompanied his father to Atalissa, Muscatine County, Iowa, and five years later came with him to California. He had just passed his fifteenth birthday and the journey was most interesting to the young lad; on the Platte River he saw buffalo by the thousands, in herds as far as the eye could see. On arriving in Butte County, in September, 1859, he went to school for a short time, his advantages being somewhat limited, but by observation and reading he has become a well informed man, obtaining the greater part of his education in the school of life. At first he did not like the new country and could see no good in California until he had made a trip into Nevada, then he really appreciated the beauties of California and could understand, to some extent, its possibilities. In 1862 he struck out for himself and began working on a farm, and the following year went to Nevada, where he was employed at the Crown Point mine until the spring of 1864, when he returned to the Sacramento Valley. It was green and beautiful and a great contrast to the desert wastes of Nevada, and to add to his content he brought back four hundred fifty dollars in gold. With the money he had made in mining, Mr. Bennett bought a claim of one hundred sixty acres from William Thrower, which he farmed one year, then went back to Nevada and assumed the same position he formerly had at the Crown Point mine. He retained it for eleven months, and it was during this period that news of the assassination of President Lincoln reached the mining camp. Mr. Bennett came back to Butte County with money enough to pay off the debt on his ranch; he purchased a team and had four hundred dollars to begin farming with. In 1868 he sold out as the place was not what he wanted and then bought one hundred sixty acres, the northeast quarter section of his present holdings. Here he built a house and barns, fenced the land and began raising grain. As he prospered he added to his holdings and now owns eleven hundred acres. He used to run four eight-horse or mule teams and a combined harvester; as new machinery has come into use he has kept abreast of the times and now uses a Best caterpillar seventy-five horse-power engine and a Best combined harvester. In 1917 he had six hundred acres planted, principally to wheat, and in 1918 he had eight hundred acres. He also raises stock to add to his annual income. On December 9, 1866, Mr. Bennett was married to Miss Anseneth J. Cooney, born in Peoria County, Ill., a daughter of William and Hannah (Bittner) Cooney, natives of Pennsylvania. William Cooney was a strong Union man and served in the Civil War as a member of a Missouri regiment, having enlisted at Chillicothe. In 1862 he brought his family across the plains to Butte County, Cal., and here he died in 1864. His widow died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.W. Bennett, aged eighty-eight years. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett; Mathilda, Mrs. Hale, of Washington; Wesley Evan, of Chico Vecino; Mettie, Mrs. Schuyler Bennett, of Nord; Cynthia, Mrs. Crawford, of Chico; Sarah Dean, married R.H. Messinger, of Chico; Addie, Mrs. Pennington, of Stockton; James Nelson, assisting on the home ranch; Grace, Mrs. Lock, was killed by a falling tree in the Placer County; George Clark, on the home ranch; Lucretia, Mrs. Frohn, of Oakland; Lillian C., John Walter and Hallie Allison, the three last named dying in infancy. Mr. Bennett has always been a stanch advocate of good schools and for years was a trustee in Pine Creek district. In politics he is a Republican. A very pleasant gathering occurred on December 9, 1916, when Mr. and Mrs. Bennett celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home. The numerous relatives and friends were served a bountiful dinner that had been prepared by members of the family. Of the seventy-five persons present, Mrs. Dicy Bennett was the only guest who was present at the wedding fifty years previous. A man of keen intelligence; a close observer; a well-read and a well informed man on current topics, Mr. Bennett is an interesting conversationalist. He and his wife are generous and dispense the old-time hospitality of the true Californians. Liberal and kind-hearted, they are ever ready to help those less fortunate than themselves. A man of energy, Mr. Bennett is never idle and continues to be active and gives substantial aid and encouragement to every plan for the promotion of public welfare. Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 727-729, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Wesley Bennett's memorial?
John Wesley Bennett's memorial is located at: Berry Cemetery, Quincy, Lewis County, USA.
When did John Wesley Bennett death?
John Wesley Bennett death on 17 Dec 1918 in Butte County, California, USA

Family Members:

Spouse

Asenith Jane Kuney Bennett

(1851 - 1939)

Children

Wesley Ivan Bennett

(1869 - 1920)

Metta Aseneth Bennett Bennett

(1872 - 1952)

Cynthia Bennett Crawford

(1876 - 1943)

James Nelson Bennett

(1882 - 1966)

Grace N. Bennett Lock

(1884 - 1905)

George Clark Bennett

(1889 - 1945)

Lucretia Jane Bennett Bird

(1894 - 1985)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Cropper Family Farm Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.5130997, -83.3711014

2. Doyle Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.4971570, -83.4343060

3. England Family Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.5752983, -83.1911011

4. Enix Family Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

5. Esham Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

6. Farley Family Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

7. Ginn Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

8. Gulley Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

9. Hardy Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.5181007, -83.4749985

10. Heinisch-Stander Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.4694460, -83.5762950

11. Himes Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

12. Holland Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

13. Holly Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.5130997, -83.3711014

14. Howell Family Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.4971570, -83.4343060

15. Hubbard Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.5752983, -83.1911011

16. John Duff Family Farm Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

17. Kelley Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

18. Krantz Family Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

19. Manley Hollow Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

20. Mawk Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

21. McCoy Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.5181007, -83.4749985

22. Mineer Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.4694460, -83.5762950

23. Moores Cemetery
Lewis County, USA

24. Old Bailey Cemetery
Lewis County, USA