Marion Bennett

The subject’s birth occurred in Sullivan county, Indiana, September 24, 1844, the son of James and Sarah (smith) Bennett, the latter a native of Kentucky, the daughter of Elijah and Polly (Weaver) Smith, who were early settlers in Sullivan county, Indiana. James Bennett, the subject’s father was the son of Roland Bennett, also a native of Kentucky, who came with his parents to Greene county, Indiana, and took up government land in an early day, settling in Richland township. He was a whig and later a Republican. He was supervisor for some time. He and his wife, whom he married in Greene county, were Baptist and the parents of eight children, namely: Mary Jane, deceased; Marion, the subject; Lovel deceased; John, who lives in Kansas; Jason, deceased; Roland, who lives in Iowa; Hiram and Sarah both deceased.

Marion Bennett has spent nearly all his life in Greene county, having been raised on a farm, receiving his mental training in the old-time public schools. In 1866 he married Sarah Bland, a native of Greene county, Indiana, and the daughter of Robert H. and Chloe (Hodges) Bland, the former of North Carolina and the latter of Greene county. Both the Blands and the Hodges were early settlers in Highland township, Greene county. Five children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: John, who married Deby Sinclair, and is living in Fair Play township, Greene county; Joseph, who lives at home with his father; Allie, the wife of Oliver Marley, who lives on a farm in Fai Play township; Cora, who died in childhood; Alma, who is the wife of Ollie Owen. Robert H. Bland, grandfather of the subject, was a soldier in the Forty-third Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He had eight children, namely: Rebecca, Sarah, Nancy, Mary, Joseph, James, William and Catherine.

Although a lad of only sixteen years when the nation called for troops to suppress the great rebellion that threatened her very foundations, our worthy subject could not restrain his patriotism and enlisted in 1861 in Company D Fifty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Bloomfield, rendezvoused at Camp Huges, Gosport, Indiana, and served with such courage that he was raised to the rank of orderly sergeant. After going to New Albany, Indiana, where the regiment emained for a short time, it was sent to New Madrid, Missouri; then it reported to General Pope at New Madrid, and was ordered to Shiloh, but did not reach there in time for the battle. The regiment had a skirmish at Hamburg and Tiptonville, Mississippi, and was in the battle at Cornith. Later was at Helena, Arkansas, and Jackson, Mississippi. The subject has in his possession the flagstaff that his regiment carried until the battle of Champion Hill. He was also in the battles of Raymond, Port Gibson, Black River or Champion Hill, and in the siege of Vicksburg for forty-five days. On May 22d of that year the subject had the pocket shot out of his blouse jacket, but was not injured. He was later in the battles of Missionary Ridge and Atlanta, Buzzard Roost, in the famous march to the sea under Sherman and was finally in the grand review in Washington City.

After being honorable discharged he subject went to farming in Highland township, Greene county, Indiana. After working for three years he came to his present location in 1870. This farm now consists of four hundred acres, which I s considered as good as any land in Fair Play township. He is a careful farmer and exercises splendid judgment in raising crops and handling stock of all kinds.

Mr. Bennett is a Republican in political belief. He has been school director and supervisor, justice of the peace and constable; also trustee for Fair Play township. He takes a lively interest in political affairs. Faternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Switz City, passed through all the chairs, and has represented the local organization at the grand lodge. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. They are well known and held in highest respect by the entire community.

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Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. With Reminiscences of Pioneer Days, Illustrated (1908, B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, Indiana) Vol. 2 Pg. 599-602.