Contra Costa County Biography

SEELEY JAMES BENNETT (DECEASED)

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


                 One of the representative and pioneer citizens of Contra Costa 
County that is worthy of recognition in this work is Seeley James Bennett. He  
was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 9, 1833, son of Stephen R. and Susan 
(Gregory) Bennett. Mr. Bennett received a common-school education and assisted 
on his father's ranch until 1854. He then removed to Iowa and found employment 
with the Western Stage Company. Here he remained until February, 1859, when he 
decided to go to California. He went to New Orleans and sailed via the Gulf 
route, arriving in San Francisco the last day of March, 1859. He came directly 
to Contra Costa County. Here he found employment at different things until 
March, 1860, when he engaged in the livery business in Pacheco, and there 
remained until 1862, when he removed to Martinez. In 1861 Mr. Bennett started 
and operated the first stage line from Pacheco to the Mount Diablo coal mines. 
Later he sold this line and established a stage line from Martinez to the summit 
of Mount Diablo. Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Jane E. Hough, a 
native of Ohio. To this union there has been one son, Stephen E., born July 13, 
1864. He died in 1906. Seeley J. Bennett's death occurred on May 14, 1905.
 
Source:  "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, 
pp. 601-602.