Joseph Bray Bennett

Joseph Bray Bennett (February 23, 1833 – August 17, 1913) was an English American immigrant, machine manufacturer, and Republican politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Jefferson County during the 1879 and 1880 sessions. He worked much of the rest of his life as a clerk in the United States Department of Agriculture.

Joseph B. Bennett
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 23rd district
In office
January 27, 1879 – January 3, 1881
Preceded byCharles H. Phillips
Succeeded byFrederick Kusel
Personal details
Born(1833-02-23)February 23, 1833
Bolton, England, UK
DiedAugust 17, 1913(1913-08-17) (aged 80)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeRock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Susannah E. Bennett
​
(died 1897)​
Children
  • Annie V. Bennett
  • John S. Bennett
  • Reuben A. Bennett

Biography

Joseph Bray Bennett was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, in February 1833.[1] He was raised and educated in England, and emigrated to the United States in 1863. He settled briefly in Milwaukee, before moving to Watertown, Wisconsin, where he established a foundry.

In December 1869, he purchased a partnership stake in a machine factory business and became sole proprietor in 1873. The business was then renamed Bennett's Thrashing Machine Factory, but was destroyed by fire in 1879.[2]

He became associated with the Republican Party and served in several positions in the Watertown city government. On January 1, 1879, Jefferson County's state senator Charles H. Phillips died on what would have been the first day of his senate term. At the January 20 special election, Bennett was elected to fill the remainder of his term in the 1879 and 1880 sessions.[1] He was defeated running for re-election in 1880.[3]

Former Wisconsin governor Jeremiah McLain Rusk became United States Secretary of Agriculture in 1889. In the Spring of 1890,[4] he hired Bennett as appointment clerk for the Department of Agriculture. Bennett moved to Washington, D.C., and remained in this job until 1911, when he retired due to poor health.[5]

He died at the home of his son in Washington, D.C., in August 1913.[5]

Personal life and family

Joseph Bennett and his wife, Susannah, were married in England. They had at least three children before her death in 1897.[4] Their daughter, Annie, died the next year. Their sons, Reuben and John, survived them.[6]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Senate (1879, 1880)
Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Special Election, 1879[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Special Election, January 20, 1879
Republican Joseph B. Bennett 2,413 50.51% -8.22%
Democratic Walter Green 2,005 41.97% +7.22%
Greenback George W. Bishop 359 7.52% +1.01%
Plurality 408 8.54% -15.44%
Total votes 4,777 100.0% -20.87%
Republican hold
Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Election, 1880[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 2, 1880
Democratic Frederick Kusel 4,390 58.12% +16.15%
Republican Joseph B. Bennett (incumbent) 3,080 40.78% -9.73%
Greenback George W. Bishop 83 1.10% -6.42%
Plurality 1,310 17.34% +8.80%
Total votes 7,553 100.0% +58.11%
Democratic gain from Republican

References
  1. Warner, Hans B., ed. (1880). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 504. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  2. "Watertown". The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Western Historical Company. 1879. p. 425. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  3. Heg, J. E., ed. (1881). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 500. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  4. "Death of Mrs. J. B. Bennett". The Watertown News. February 24, 1897. p. 1. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Jos. B. Bennett Passes Away". The Watertown News. August 29, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Widow Receives Entire State". The Washington Post. August 21, 1913. p. 12. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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