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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  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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CHARLES F. BENNETT, a prosperous and enterprising merchant of East Homer, was born August 21, 1856, in the town of Homer, Cortland County, N. Y. He is a son of William and Melissa (Pierce) Bennett, and a grandson of Asa Bennett.

Asa Bennett, who lived at Lansing, Tompkins County, N. Y., was a miller by trade and followed milling until he moved to East Homer, after which he engaged in farming.

William, the father of our subject, was born in Lansing, where he spent his boyhood days; the latter part of his life being spent at East Homer. He learned the trade of a mason and in connection with farming made it a life-long occupation. His wife was the daughter of William Pierce. They were the happy parents of seven children, who bore the following names: Melancthon, who now makes his home in Michigan; Artellus J. of Central Square, New York City; William F., who is in the United States Army and stationed in Indian Territory; Charles F.; Asa, deceased; J. D., who lives in the town of Preble, this county; and Sheldon of East Homer. William was an active member of the M. E. Church; he held the various offices and by his zeal and devotion did much to promote the welfare of the church.

Charles F. Bennett was born on the farm. Like most of our nation’s men of worth, he received his education in the district school. After beginning life’s work on his own account, he followed farming for seven years, and then engaged in the mercantile business at East Homer, in which line he has been identified ever since. Besides carrying a full line of general merchandise, he handles all kinds of produce, feed and grain. He has a first class store in every particular, and deserves the lucrative trade he has secured. He is a very prominent man and universally liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. At the age of eighteen he was united in marriage with Alma, daughter of Henry and Sarah Preston, who lived in Lincklaen, Chenango County. They have reared two children, Artellus and Clinton C. Mr. Bennett is an earnest and zealous member of the M. E. Church and at present is serving in an official capacity as steward and trustee. His political affiliations are with the Republican party; he held the federal office of postmaster in President Harrison’s administration.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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