Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-09-02

HoN. sAn y oANatii
If We were to jusg- his friendships
in life and the esteem y which he was
held by his fellows, The obsequies of
the late Hon. Van 5. Henrett at his
Rockton heine last Wednesday after
noon, we might with prepriety say his
memory has place ID TIE affections Of
our people second u rome who have
passed from earthly activities. We re-
call no larger assemblee in Vernon
county on o similar cad occasion since
the funeral of General RGslS. People
came from many remote sections of the
state, and the surrounding country
turned out practically enmasse. AS
this multitude passed ln .evieW 10 take
last farewell of and look upon the fea-
lures of man who had filled many
parts in community HE and drop q
silent teer because OF his uatimely GO
ing, the thought was universal that
Van S Bennett had beer just man, a
good friend and adviser, one in whose
dealings with the world snd his fellows
there was aught to lie aid except in
commentator His aiwiys sffabie dis
position and genial salutal ION was pro-
verbal. He was lOverof mankind.
The funeral was simple, well arrang-
ed, conducted by the NaIonic brethren,
with Knight Templar sscort in full
keniform, Odd Fellows aui a group Of
old army comrades On the lawn of
the home Mr. Bennett had so long and
well founded, were conducted the ser.
VICES, his co-worker in ounty asylum
affairs, Superintendent Buffers, CON
dacCiag the same The lddress was
sripete to the life ard character of de-
ceased, FeciIing in some ietsil the hard
ships be hAd endured as boy, pioneer
and soldier, his devotin to any and
every duty that had cone to him in the
long line of activities during almost
fifty years among us. The musical
nnnbers we're finely reldersd and for
al pieces from orders 0 which deceased
was a member, were numerous and
beautiful In the villzse cemetery the
remains were laid u rest where lie
the dust OF parents, wife, brothers and
other kindred, G. j Smith conducting
the Masonic rites TWAS an hour of
deep solsmnity and sympathy for the
afflicted family and tbse who mourn.
There have been few men in Vernon
county with larger PERSONAL acquaint-
ance than Van S BENEFIT, none with
stauncher friends or more deserving of
them. He was a safeman to entrust
with public or private affairs, and he
was true to friends ad associates. He
had been tested In moe capacities than
any other Of our eitizns, always doing
them well He demonstrated the same
devotion to duty Whether town official,
presiding officer of TIRE county board,
member of either houe of the state leg
islature In the Masolic and Odd Fell
low orders he had gondfrom lowest to
highest stations, grand master for a
term of the latter, anq also sovereign
representative. MIR. BENEFITS last
service for the county was trustee of
the asylum, occupying that position
when taken away by he tragic aeei-
dent that closed his eathly career on
August "a Mr.. Benndt had been an
intense worker all his life, with head
and hands. His heart was in every
thing he undertook; he possessed fore
sight and judgment; hid a keen sense
of the fitness of thing and was ever
linbued with a love of his country, a
man of wide reading ard extensive tfav-
ell in his native land In his untimely
removal the kindred add friends who
knew him best feel most keenly the
bereayment and loss.
Hon. Van 8. Bennett was I0rn in Medina coun.
". Ohio. In 1886. His grandfather was native
Of the Old Dominion and ppminent planter and
| slave holder and departed tbs life in 1920. Ono
son. j. ". the father Of our ubject was born in
Jefferson county, Virginia. in 1901. and at the
death OF his father. came int possession Of one
ninth OF the estate. This interest was paid him
ia slaves. From the death of his father until
ls2s period Of eight years, is was also oyerseei
uf he MA faff
| services. In the latter year wheb twenty-sever
years of age. he left the old plantation for New
York. taking with him all the property he ther
possessed large number o. slaves. Upon ar.
irving at his destination he save freedom 10 al
his dueky chattes and by 30 DOING becams IN one
hour penniless man. He commenced life agair
| by hiring TO work on a farm at ten dollars per
month. He came to Rockton IN 1855 and died al
the residence OF his son in 1872. Van >. Bennett
remained in his native county until ten years Of
age and then accompanied bis parents to Dans
county, Wis. Six years later they removed u
Jefferson county and in 1884 70 Kickapoo Center
Vernon county. At this lattez place Mr.. Bennett
of klekapoo. In 1850 he went to Riehland county
and for six years worked in the numbering campo
! In 1851 he enlisted in the 18th regiment, Hiscon
sIn volunteer infantry. and was commissioned I
ISL lieutenant and Ia 1862 was LroInoted as cap
tain and discharged in 1864. He returned 70 Rich
land county and was elected superintedent Of th'
schools. which position he held for two years. II
lono ne came to WhitestoWn and purchased ths
grist mill owned by Laughton Bros. In 1867 h
erected the FIRST saw mill In the village. In isT
ne plated the village Of Rockton and m 1873, II
connection with G. B. WeIt0D. purchased gen
eral stock Of goods. In 1881 the partnership wa,
dissolved. Mr.. Weiton retiring from the firm
M. Bennett was the largest landed proprietor i
vernon county owning about ~ acres. HI
was married in 1853 to Jennie daughter Of Aifrec
and Rebecca Loyelese One child, daughter
Mrs. j. 5. Earl of Prairie du Chen, was born Z
them Mrs. Bennett died sixteen years ago. ant
he later married Mrs, Lepley. Mrs. Mile Bra
kaw niece. was long member IN his farnill