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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Randolph County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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John W. Bennett, one of Randolph County’s substantial and enterprising citizens, was born in Jefferson County, Ill., December 16, 1865, being a son of Thomas S. and Elmira E. Bennett. His father was born in Tennessee in 1834 and his mother in St. Francois County, Mo., and they were married in Ripley County, that State. They afterward located in St. Francois County and moved from there to the State of Illinois near Rome, Jefferson County, coming thence to Randolph County, Ark., in 1868, where, after farming for some time, Mr. Bennett became collecting agent for Hecht & Co., of Pocahontas. He served as treasurer of Randolph County two terms, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Democrat in his political views, and while in Missouri he enlisted in the Southern service, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He participated, with credit to himself, in many a hard-fought battle. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and died December 25, 1885, at the age of fifty-one years. His widow still survives him and remains in Randolph County. Of the nine children born to their union, six are now living: Wesley C, a farmer of the county; John W., J. S., Mary C., Thomas S. and Emily. The early scholastic training of John W. Bennett was received in the common schools near his home, and he afterward finished his education in the schools of Pocahontas. He remained with his mother until 1887, then entered the employ of William T. McIlroy at Dalton, with whom he remained as salesman for eight months, after which he sold goods in Pocahontas for Snowtree, remaining in this place for eight months also. Since that time he has devoted his attention to agriculture, and is a farmer of this county, having 400 acres of land. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Annie Foster, and whom he married February 14, 1889, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. January 3, 1867, his wife was born. She was reared in Randolph County, Ark., and is a daughter of Thomas Foster, who was a very prominent resident of the county, and here spent his life, dying January 22, 1889, at the age of sixty-six years. He was one of the most extensive real estate holders in the county, and owned 2,200 acres of land. His name will long be remembered by the residents of the county, for he was public spirited and enterprising, and was ever the friend of the poor. During his long residence in the county he held some responsible positions. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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This family biography is one of 110 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Randolph County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Randolph County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Randolph County, Arkansas family biographies here: Randolph County, Arkansas Biographies

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