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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  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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R. F. BENNETT, Superintendent Preparatory School, Covington. Mr. Bennett is a native of Miami Co.; was born in Washington Township, in 1836; was raised on the farm; received the benefit of the common district and Piqua public schools, and a partial course at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and has made teaching his profession; he came to Covington in 1863, when he took charge of the public school, and has continued its Principal ever since; the record of the school is the best compliment we can give to his ability as instructor and Superintendent; when he took charge, the school was in a chaotic state, with about 250 pupils, and four teachers; since then, the school has been graded, system and efficiency have taken the place of chaos; a new building has been erected, and there are now eight teachers and nearly 500 pupils, and the school ranks with the best public schools for efficiency. Mr. Bennett is a successful teacher and Superintendent, and a useful, respected citizen. He was married in 1867 to Miss Fanny, daughter of Dr. David Jordan, deceased, lately of Piqua. As Mr. Bennett comes of pioneer stock, it will not be out of place here to trace, somewhat, his ancestry. He is the son of Enoch and Margaret (Withgott) Bennett, who came to Miami Co. in 1834, and located in Washington Township, and are now residing on a farm near Piqua, to which they removed in 1840; each is now 80 years of age; the parents of each were pioneers in the vicinity of Chillicothe, his parents having removed from Pennsylvania and hers from Maryland, as early as 1800. The Bennetts were pioneers in America, having accompanied William Penn, and were Quakers. The Withgotts were Welsh, and Episcopalians; the first of these who came to America was forced into service on board a British vessel which sailed to America; when leaving port, he jumped overboard and swam safely to shore.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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