A native of Massachusetts, having been born at Mendon, in that state, Octobers 8, 1856, at which place he resided until May 1869. In the summer of 1869 he came with his mother to Carroll county, settling on a farm near the present town. of Templeton. His mother continued to reside there until her death in 1889. His early education was obtained in the public. Schools. From 1874 to 1881, he taught school winters working on his mother's farm during the summers. In the spring of 1881 he entered the law office of Hon. O.H. Manning, then lieutenant governor of the state, a talented and successful lawyer and financier, who is new private counsel for a number of Illinois corporations at Chicago. In April 1882, Mr. Bennett was admitted to the bar, and in June of that year located at Manning where be has since resided. In addition to his law practice he is engaged in the banking business, being owner and manager of the Bennett bank at Manning He is an active member of the republican party, and is now serving his fourth term as chairman. of the republican central committee of Carroll county, He was married December 20, 1883, to Miss Clara J. Ayrhart, of Dedham, Iowa, They have one child. He was active in politics, affiliated with the republican party, serving as county chairman and served as a member of the Iowa house of representatives in 1899.