Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 505.

J. R. Bennett [Editor inserted: John R. Bennett]

J. R. Bennett, a rancher near Nordhoff, was born in Ireland, December 1, 1845, the son of respectable Irish parents. In 1864, at the age of nineteen years, he set sail for America, land at Quebec, June 15 of that year. He had relatives there engaged in business, and for a time he was employed by his cousin as supercargo. They bought provisions and clothing and took them to the coast of Labrador, bringing back a load of fish and oil. After three years thus engaged he went to Thurso on the Ottawa River, where for two years he clerked in a general merchandise store. In July, 1869, he came to California and worked in a saw-mill a year in Mendocino County. In 1870 he sent for his brother George and gave him a position in the mill. Starting out in search of easier and more profitable employment, he next went to Vallejo, where he was engaged in laying water pipes until he could accumulate a little money to go still further in search of better employment. Going to San Francisco he worked for a while on the wharf, unloading vessels, and then obtained a situation in a wholesale dairy produce store, conducted by T. H. Hatch & Co. Soon he secured a position there also for his brother George. Two years later he and his brother engaged in the dairy produce business for themselves in the California market, which they continue to the present time, supplying the elite of San Francisco with "Bennett's Celebrated Butter."

While in the market, Mr. Bennett contracted catarrh, which extended to his bronchial tubes, and he was compelled to seek a milder climate than San Francisco. Leaving the business there in charge of his brother, he started in search of health, traveling the whole length of California, from Sisson's to San Diego, and found the most desirable place for pulmonary complaints to be the Ojai Valley. Here he purchased sixty-one acres of land, on which he is now building a handsome residence. He is entering largely into fruit culture, having planted French prunes, almonds, olives, and raising grapes. The property is now in a flourishing condition, and is destined to become one of the most delightful homes on the coast.

Mr. Bennett was married in 1878, to Miss Hatty Greeleese, a native of Thurso, Canada, and a daughter of William Greeleese. Mr. Bennett became acquainted with her while in Thurso ten years previous, and succeeded in persuading her to meet him in California. Upon her arrival, Mr. Bennett went to meet her, taking a minister with him, and they were married in Sacramento. They are the parents of four interesting children, the three eldest having been born in San Francisco, and the youngest in the Ojai Valley. Their names are: Lillian, Stewart R., David S. and Anita. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bennett is independent in politics, but shares the views of the Republican party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the F. & A .M.

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Descendants of John R. Bennett

1 John R. Bennett b: 01 Dec 1845 in Ireland d: Aft. 1920 in Ventura County, California
.. +Harriett E. Greeleese b: 1850 in Canada m: 1878 in San Francisco, California d: Bet. 1910 - 1920 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Lillian Bennett b: Feb 1880 in San Francisco, California
........ 2 Stewart R. Bennett b: Apr 1881 in San Francisco, California
............ +Annie b: 1881 in Wisconsin
................... 3 Percival Bennett b: 1911 in California
................... 3 Lawrence Bennett b: 1916 in California
........ 2 David Sawtelle Bennett b: 12 Mar 1885 in San Francisco, California
............ +Beaulah L. b: 1885 in Michigan
................... 3 Margaret A. Bennett b: 1917 in California
................... 3 Marian V. Bennett b: 1918 in California
................... 3 Barbara E. Bennett b: 1921 in California
........ 2 Anita N. Bennett b: Feb 1889 in Ojai Valley, California
........ 2 John A. Bennett b: Aug 1891 in Ojai Valley, California


Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.