William Bennett, son of John Bennett, was born in the vicinity Pittsburg, Pa, but grew to manhood in Buffington township. He learned and followed blacksmithing, but later became an agriculturist in that ownership, where his death occurred when he was only forty-eight years old. His remains were laid to rest at Stongstown, Pa. He was a member of the Methodist Church and was a class leader for many years. At one time he belong to the old State militia, and was a fifer.

William Bennett married Elizabeth Bailey, a daughter of Samuel Baley, and they had children as follows: John, who died in Brushvalley township; Mary, who married Adam Moses and died in Armstrong county, Pa; Catherine, who married Thomas Swartzwalder, and died in Armstrong county, Pa.; David, who went out to California in 1849, and was never afterward heard from; Wesley, who died young; Abraham B.; James living at Strongstown, retired; Susan Ann, who married John Campbell, and died in Armstrong county, Pa.; Sarah, who died young; Margaret Jane, who married George McCutchon an d is living in Brushvalley township; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Whitehead and is living in Missouri; and Lucinda, who died young.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Baley) Bennett married (second) Samuel McAdams, and they had two children: Alexander, who is living at Strongstown; and Samuel, living at Seward, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Mrs. McAdams lived to be seventy-nine years old, and was buried at Strongstown.

Abraham B. Bennett grew up on the farm, becoming familiar with agricultural work from boyhood and meantime studying at the local schools. When old enough he began learning the blacksmith trade at Indiana, and followed it about five years at that point, thence going to Blairsville, Pa. where he spent a year. He then went to Bells Mills, Indiana Co., Pa, and spent two years, following which he was at Heshbron for three years, building the first house at that place, in 1861. At the expiration of the three years he went to Buffington township and purchased a farm of about 250 acres, located three miles from Dilltown. To this he has added from time to time until he owns 800 acres, all in Buffington township, about half of which is cleared, and very productive farm land. His sons are now attending to its cultivation. While living in Buffington township, Mr. Bennett continued to work at is trade, having built a shop there and he finally came to Strongstown, in June, 1889. That year he erected a handsome residence at Strongstown, as well as a shop 16 by 20 feet, one and one half stories high, continuing work at this trade for twelve years, since when he has lived retired. Mr. Bennett conducted the "Kinter House" for a year, in 1893.

On Feb. 1, 1855, Mr. Bennett was married at Indiana, Pa., to Margaret McAdams, a daughter of Samuel and Agnes (Morrow) McAdams. Mrs. Bennett was born in Scotland Oct. 23, 1836, and came to the United states with her mother when eleven years old. They located in New York City, where the mother passed away, and the child then lived in Huntingdon county, Pa., and later in Indiana county. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett became parents of the following family: Annie S., born Oct. 25, 1856, married Oliver McKelvy, and is deceased; John died at the age of four years; James died when nine months old; Harry W., born Sept. . 2, 1863, married Mary Ann Graham, and is farming in Buffington township; Charles W., born May 27, 1866, married Catherine Petticord, and is living in Vintondale, Pa.; Elizabeth died at the age of seven years; William T., born Aug. 13, 1870, now farming in Buffington township, married Mary Gertrude Orner; Alexander, born Dec. 4, 1872, married Jennie Bracken, is a stock dealer and lives at Indiana, Pa.; Cora A., born May 24, 1876, married Allen Graham, and died when only twenty-one years old (she is buried at Strongstown, Pa.)

Mr. Bennett is a Republican in political principle, but has at times, as his conscience dictated, supported Washington Prohibition, Keystone and People's parties. He served as supervisor of Buffington township four years, and was constable of that township for six years. For many years Mr. Bennett has been a consistent and earnest member of the Methodist Church of Strongstown, serving as steward, exhorter, trustee, class leader, and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school.

During the Civil war M. Bennett enlisted, July 30, 1864, from Indiana county, for one year's service, in company E, 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. James Kearney and Col. J. C. Carpenter. He was mustered in at Greensburg, Pa. and assigned to the 3d Brigade, 3d Division, 3d Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and sent to Baltimore, Md., and Annapolis, being on guard duty along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad during the operations in the Shenandoah valley. This command participated in the engagements at Winchester; the Wilderness, may 5, 1864; Trevillian Station, June 11-12, 1864; Petersburg, June 16-30, 1864; Ream's Station, Aug. 25, 1864; Winchester Gap, Sept. 14, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Sept. 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864; Petersburg, April 1, 1865; and Appomattox court House, April 9, 1865. Mr. Bennett shared the fortunes of his regiment in all the battles which took place during his service. He was honorably discharged June 20, 1865, near Washington, D. C., by general order of the War Department. For years he has been a member of Indiana Post, No. 28, G. A. R.
----------------------------
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, pp. 1521-23; by Prof. J. T. Stewart, 1913

JOHN BENNETT, Mrs. William's paternal great-grandfather, was a native of London, England. His son Michael Bennett, grandfather of Mrs. Williams, was born in Pennsylvania and was an early settler in Indiana county, making a location in Buffington township, where he remained until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Strong, was of German ancestry. Of their sons, Abraham, Peter and William served in the Civil War; William a resident of Clearfield county, Pa., and George of Johnstown, Pa., are now the only survivors.

Jacob S. Bennett, father of Mrs. Williams, was born Nov. 29, 1838, in Indiana county, and was engaged in farming and lumbering here, also conducting a hotel in Vintondale for some time; at the time of his death he was operating a flourmill known as the White Mill, in Cambria county, having been thus engaged three years. Mr. Bennett was twice married, his first wife, Evannah (Adams), being the mother of five children: Franklin, Amanda, Emily, Daniel and William. His second wife, Rebecca (Downing), was born Feb. 14, 1840, in Blair county, Pa, where the marriage took place, the couple coming at once to Indiana county, where they made their home in Pine township. Her father, James Downing, was born in Blair county, Pa. and was of Irish descent. His wife was a daughter of Christopher Rhoades, a native of Germany, who came to America when twelve years old with ten other members of the family, was married in Northumberland county, pa., and was the father of ten children. he was a farmer. In his later years he lived in Blair county, and at the time of his death was a resident of Morrisons Cove, that county. He lived to an advanced age.

By his second marriage Jacob S. Bennett had four children. he died Jan. 16, 1907, his wife Rebecca passing away Feb. 7, 1912. Of his nine children, Franklin lives in Cambria county, Pa.; Amanda is the wife of Hugh Marsh, of Cambria County; Emily is the wife of Emanuel Stiles, of Cambria county; William S. died Feb. 4, 1912; Mary Florence is the wife of Richard Williams; Martha is the wife of Frederick Roehm, a resident of DuBois, Pa., Joseph Downing lives in Vintondale; Doris May is the wife of W. S. Griffith,. a resident of Lucerne, in Center township.

------------------------
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, pp. 991-92; Prof. J. T. Stewart, 1913

PETER BENNETT (deceased) was interested in the wholesale grocery business at Indiana for several years before his retirement, and for forty years before settling in the borough carried on a mercantile business at Bolivar, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Beginning life in humble circumstances, he forged his way to success and prosperity by his own efforts, and the fact that he became recognized as one of the most substantial citizens of his community was due to his perseverance in the face of obstacles and to his untiring industry. He was a native of Indiana county, born July 3, 1841, in Burrell township, son of Jacob and Miriam (Isenburg) Bennett. His grandfather came from England and settled near Strongstown, Indiana Co., Pa., where he followed farming. He died there. His wife was also English. Their children were William, Michael, Abraham, Peter, Jacob and three daughters. Of this family, Michael was the father of twenty-two children--twenty-one sons and one daughter; a number of the sons served in the army during the Civil War.

Jacob Bennett, father of Peter Bennett, was born n Indiana county, and died at the age of sixty-eight years, on Twolick creek. After his marriage he located at Cherrytree, this county. He was a mason by trade. The following children were born to him and his wife: Three daughters who died young; Sarah, Mrs. James Speaker, deceased; Elizabeth, Mrs. Joshua Brown, of Josephine, Pa.; Lydia, who died unmarried; William, who married a Miss Marks, and died in Indiana county; Peter, Catherine, Mrs. Lawrence Helman; John, of Indiana, who married Mary. Lewis and (second) Margaret Dickey; Michael, of Indiana, who married Lottie Richardson; Jacob, who died when thirty-six years old; Susan, Mrs. Cyrus Lear, deceased; and George, who married Sarah Shank and resides at New Kensington, Pennsylvania.

Peter Bennett grew to manhood in Indiana and the neighboring locality. He went to school very little in his boyhood, by hard study at home managed to secure an average education; he learned to write after he was married. Under his father he learned the trade of mason, which he followed until he went into the mercantile business, which he continued for forty years at Bolivar, Pa., Joining his son John in business under the firm name of P. Bennett & son. They prospered, having one of the best known and best patronized establishments in that section. During fifteen months of his time Mr. Bennett also owned and operated a brickyard in Beaver county. Practically all of the stone work in New Florence, Westmoreland county, is of his construction. He proved himself to be an excellent manager, carrying on all his undertakings successfully. In 1897 he sold his store in Bolivar and disposed of his real estate there, moving to Indiana, where he bought an interest in the wholesale grocery busyness, entering the firm of mvon, Steward & Bennett, later Bennett & Buchanan. He was a silent partner, his son being the active member. In the fall of 1909 they sold their holdings to Mr. Buchanan, and Mr. Bennett lived in retirement form that time. He retained real estate interests in Bolivar and south Sharon, Pa. There were few men in Indiana more deserving of success and high standing, for he worked to attain his substantial position, which was a credit to his intelligence, integrity and ambition. His death occurred Sept. 29, 1912, in Indiana. Mrs. Bennett now resides in Bolivar, Westmoreland county.

On May 20, 1862, Mr., Bennett married Eliza Lewis, daughter of John and Margaret Munshower Lewis. they had seven children: William, who died in infancy; John, who lives in Indiana; Mary, Mrs. Jacob Yeager, of Morrellville, Pa.; a daughter that died in infancy; Harry, of Bolivar, Pa.; Cora, deceased; and Everest, of Bolivar. Mr. Bennett had no church connections, nor has his widow. He was a Republican in politics.

JOHN BENNETT, eldest surviving son of Peter and Eliza (Lewis) Bennett, now engaged in business in Indiana as secretary and treasurer of the Indiana Wholesale Company, dealers in groceries and produce, was born in Beaver County, Pa., April 28, 1865. In his early boyhood he attended school in Westmoreland county, Pa., for five months of the years, in the winter season, during the summer months being employed in a brickyard. He followed this work while going to school for nine years, after which he became a clerk in a store at Bolivar, Pa., being thus employed two years. He then engaged in the general store business in that town, in company with Joseph DuShane, this firm continuing for two years. Then Peter Bennett, father of John, bought out Mr. DuShane's interest and the firm became known as P. Bennett & Son, who did business at Bolivar for a period of thirteen years. Then John Bennett became interested in the wholesale grocery business in Indiana, Pa., as member of the firm of Mabon, Bennett & Co., which had an existence of three and half years. Mr. George T. Buchanan then became interested and the name was changed to Buchanan & Bennett. These partners were associated for three and a half years, until in October, 1909, Mr. Bennett sold his interest to Mr. Buchanan. He spent the next three winters in Florida, at Zephyr Hills, twenty-five miles north of Tampa along the seaboard airline railroad, where he was engaged in the mercantile business, and he still owns the most valuable property in that town. On May 29,. 1912, in company with Mr. Robert N. Ray, he organized the Indiana Wholesale Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer, Mr. Ray being the president. The concern was incorporated on that date, with $100,000 capital, and the wide experience both partners had acquired in this line in their previous ventures no doubt accounts for the notably successful beginning of their business. From ten to fifteen men are employed. They have erected a fine new plant, the business being located in a fireproof building principally of steel construction, 50 by 200 feet in dimensions and three stories in height. The walls are of hollow tile and buff brick, the roof steel-trussed with asbestos and slate covering, the floors of reinforced concrete, and the structure is a credit to the borough and to its owners. In connection with groceries the Indiana Wholesale Company handles large quantities of produce. Though most of his time and attention are devoted to business, Mr. Bennett has found time to serve the borough as member of the council, which office he filled for three years. He is independent politically, voting as his judgment dictates.

On Sept. 23, 1891, Mr. Bennett married Annie C. Taylor, daughter of Samuel G. and Mary M. (Hamilton) Taylor, and they have had the following children: Harry B., Mary E., Cora B., Charles W. and Nellie G.
-----------------------------
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, PP. 658-59; Vol. I, Prof. J. T. Stewart; J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1913

HARRY WHITE BENNETT, engaged in farming and stock raising in Buffington township, where he owns 190 acres of valuable land, was born Sept. 2, 1863, son of Abraham and Margaret (McAdams) Bennett.

William Bennett, the paternal grandfather of Harry W. Bennett, was born in Strongstown, in Pine (now Buffington) township, Indiana Co., Pa. He taught school three months in a log schoolhouse that stood on his far m in Buffington township. His farming was done principally with a yoke of oxen. He also engaged in making shingles, shaving them with a drawing knife. He overworked himself building fence, and died at the age of forty-five, leaving a large family. To him and his wife Elizabeth (Bailey) were born the following children: Susan, who married John Campbell; Kate, who married Thomas Schwartz, Jane, who was the wife of George McCutheon; Mary , who married Adam Moses; Elizabeth, who married Mr. Whitehead; John, who married Mary Ann Schultz; Abraham; and David, who died in battle during the Civil War.

Abraham Bennett, son of William, and father of Harry White Bennett, was born Aug. 13, 1835, in Buffington township, and married Margaret McAdams, who was born in Scotland, Nov. 29, 1836. She came to this country at the age of eleven and her mother dying of seasickness after landing at new York was left an orphan among stranger. From there she was taken east of the mountains into Cumberland county where she became acquainted with her husband whom she married at the age of twenty. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett had children as follows: Harry White; Charles, who married Kate Petticord and resides at Vintondate, Pa., where he is engaged in the livery business and also carries on agricultural pursuits; William, who married Gertrude Orner, daughter of William and Rachel (George) Orner, and is a farmer and stock raiser at Stongstown, Pine township; and Alexander, who married Jennie Bracken, and is a stock buyer and trader at the town of Indiana, Pa. Abraham Bennett never went to school, but with the help of his wife he obtained a fair education. He learned the trade of blacksmith with George Beck, of Indiana, and followed that vocation some years, thriftily saving his earnings until he was able to purchase the Doughitt farm of 170 acres, which was the nucleus for his large holdings--over seven hundred acres of land-in later life. Industrious, enterprising and progressive, Mr. Bennett accumulated means and position as the years passed, steadily forging toward the front among his fellow men, becoming one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of his section. As each of his sons grew to maturity he bought him a farm, gave them all good educational advantages, and fitted them for the positions in life which they were called upon to fill. Now, in the evening of his days, he is living retired with his wife at Strongstown, Pa., surrounded by friends and reaping the rewards which a long a and useful career brings. He was also known as a skilled veterinary surgeon in his day. During the civil war he fought valiantly as a Union soldier, and upon his return to civic life interested himself in public services, acting as constable of Buffington township for six years and as supervisor of roads for a like period. As man of integrity and probity, he has supported the principles of the prohibition party, and has always cooperated in movements tending to the advancement of morality, religion and good citizenship. For thirty years he has been a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, for twenty years has been steward and trustee, and for ten years has been exhorter, being elected by the Pittsburg conference.

Harry White Bennett attended the district schools of Buffington township, and remained on the home farm until his twentieth year, at which time he went to South Dakota and took up a homestead of 160 acres near Rapid City. Subsequently he spent six months in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad Company, and on his return home was engaged for a time in farming. In 1885 Mr. Bennett went to Johnstown, Pa., where he worked for the Cambria Steel Company, in the rolling mills, one year, and then came back to Buffington township and located upon the 120-acre farm formerly owned by Darwin Cassatt, but disposed of his interests therein not long after and purchased the John Michael from of seventy acres and the David Bailey eighty-acre farm, which he is now cultivating. Mr. Bennett carries on large farming and stock raising operations, and is recognized as one of his community's most substantial citizens. His whole time has not been devoted to his private affairs, however, as he has been active in all movements that affect his township, has served on the election board for many years, acted in the capacity of school director for twenty-two years, and has been supervisor two terms. He supports the Republican party, and is depended upon to influence public opinion in its favor in this part of Indiana county. Like his father, he has been active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he was superintendent of the Sunday school for two years, and is now acting as steward. Formerly Mr. Bennett was a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. A progressive, enterprising citizen, he had been identified with those movements which have benefited his county during the several decades just past, and during this time has drawn about him a wide acquaintance, in which numbers many warm friends.

Mr. Bennett was married Nov. 4, 1884, to Mary Ann Graham, daughter of Samuel C. and Sarah (Blades) Graham. She was born in Pine (now Buffington) township; Indiana county. They have the following children: Clark; Cora, who married Bert Petticord, of Buffington township; and has two children, Margaret and Harry; Annie, who married Park Altimus, and is deceased; Golda, deceased; Alexander, deceased, Mabel, born in 1897 and Harry, born in 1904.

-----------------------------
pp. 1193-40.