California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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HARRISON
BENNETT Long
and honorable service in the Civil War gives distinction to tlie life
history of Mr. Bennett and entitles him to the gratitude of all true
patriots. When he was a young man, with his education uncompleted and
his life plans only vaguely outlined, the hidden depth of his patriotic
spirit was revealed by his instant desire to offer his services to the
Union at the outbreak of the Rebellion. It was thought at the time that
the trouble could be quelled in a very brief period, therefore he was
accepted for three months beginning May 1, 1861. His original service
was as a private in Company B, First Michigan Infantry. Later he
re-enlisted as sergeant in Company G of the same regiment which was
assigned to the army of the Potomac, where one year later he was
promoted to hospital steward. Among his engagements were the first
battle of Bull Run, the Peninsular campaign, the battle of Gettysburg,
the second contest at Bull Run, Fredericksburg and the Wilderness. From
time to time he was promoted and held the commission of first lieu-
tenant when he was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 9, 1865, after
his third enlistment, being mustered out of the service
by reason of the close of the war. The
Bennett family is of old eastern ancestry. Isaac B., a native of Wayne
county, N. Y., grew to manhood in that part of the state and there
married Sibyl La Due, who was of French and German parentage. The young
couple left their friends and relatives and sought the cheap lands of
the northwest with the intention of creating a home on the frontier. For
some time they lived in Lena- wee county, Mich., where their son,
Harrison, was born August 1, 1841.
From the land in Lenawee county the father cleared off the heavy timber;
he then built a cabin home, placed the virgin soil under cultivation,
and eventually became prosperous. He sold this place and bought a farm
in Jackson township, Jackson county, and there spent the remaining years
of his useful existence. His wife survived him, dying at the advanced
age of eighty-six. When an aged woman, but well preserved physically and
mentally, she came to Sacramento and enjoyed a visit with her son,
Harrison, returning to Michigan to pass her closing years. After
the close of his long army service and a subsequent visit among
relatives in Michigan, Mr. Bennett went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he
took a course of study in the Eastman Business College. Immediately
after his graduation he took passage on a ship for Panama, thence
crossed to the Pacific side and traveled by steamer to San Francisco,
where he remained for three years. In 1868 he came to Sacramento, where
he has since resided. For one year he clerked in a drug-store and later
he was retained as bookkeeper for E. Stone & Co. During 1875 he
entered the Sacramento Savings Bank as teller and continued with that
institution until 1910, when he resigned and retired on a pension. His
identification with the bank covered a long period of years and
reflected great credit upon his fidelity, trustworthiness, intelligence
and wise judgment. The first marriage of Mr. Bennett was solemnized at Sacramento in 1875 and united him with Miss Emma Allen, who was born in New York City and received her education in the schools of that metropolis. Very shortly after her marriage she died at the family residence in Sacramento. During 1877 Mr. Bennett was united with Mrs. Lizzie Lardner, the widow of Frank Lardner. His only son, Willie, died at the age of two years. The only daughter, Sibyl, is the wife of Presley Johnson and the mother of two children, Beth and Edloe. The Grand Army of the Republic always has received the interested co-operation of Mr. Bennett, who, since 1873 has served as quartermaster of Sumner Post No. 3, at Sacramento, and also was honored by election as its commander. In 1910 he was appointed Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of California and Nevada, serving one term. He is also a member of the California Commandery Military order of the Loyal Legion. The old comfortable family home at No. 714 Seventh Street, Sacramento, was erected from plans and specifications designed by Mr. Bennett, who also aided in the work of construction and decoration, being handy with tools and a natural mechanic. Many of his leisure hours during business associations were devoted to the improvement of the grounds and the care of the home, and since his retirement from the bank he has no task more enjoyable than the oversight of the place and the cultivation of the trees and flowers that adorn the grounds. Since then he has purchased a home at 530 Twenty-first Street, where he now resides. During his long residence in the city he has proved the value of his citizenship and his worth as a man of most exemplary habits, of tried integrity and the highest principles of honor. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |