Mary Emeline Tillotson, the sister of my great-great-grandfather Franklin James Tillotson, was born October 1, 1821 in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Daniel Tillotson and Tryphena Hulet. Mary married David Humes Bennett on April 10, 1845. (His name sometimes appears as David Hume Bennett. Grant Tillotson spelled it this way. Since David was probably named for his uncle David Humes, Humes is presumably the correct spelling.) David was the son of Oliver Roby Bennett and Elizabeth "Betsey" Ford. David was born on March 5, 1820 in Shelby, Orleans County, New York. He was an older brother of Albert C. Bennett who married Caroline Maria Sexton, the half-sister of Jane Ann Sexton, wife of Mary Emeline's brother Franklin James Tillotson.
David Humes Bennett about 1865.
David Humes Bennett about 1890.
Mary Emeline Tillotson Bennett.
Mary and David produced seven children:
Lucius H. Bennett was born on June 19, 1847 in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio. He moved to Elsie, Clinton County, Michigan in 1866. Lucius never married. He died of apoplexy in Elsie on August 24, 1906 after just a few hours of illness.
Lucius H. Bennett.
Funeral display for Lucius H. Bennett.
Francis O. Bennett was born June 20, 1850 in York, Indiana County, Ohio. He married Eva L. Brainard, daughter of of Lyman Brainard and Cornelia Sophia Kelly, on June 12, 1878. Eva was born April 30, 1858 in Elsie, Clinton County, Michigan or Fairfield, Shiawassee County, Michigan. Eva was the sister of Julia Ann Brainard who married Leonard Tillotson, Jr., younger brother of Jane Minerva Tillotson and William Thomas Tillotson. Francis, usually called Frank by the family, was a farmer and also operated a meat market. He was a Democrat. Francis died suddenly at his home in Fairfield on October 16, 1908.
Francis O. Bennett.
Charles Edward Bennett was born July 25, 1852 in York, Indiana County, Ohio. He married his second cousin Ida May Darling who was born September 14, 1857 in Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio. Ida was the daughter of Oscar Wales Darling and Charlotte Maria Tillotson, sister of Jane Minerva Tillotson and William Thomas Tillotson. Charles and Ida had no children. They lived in Elsie, Clinton County, Michigan. Charles was a farmer and carpenter. He was a Republican.
Charles Edward Bennett.
Charles Edward Bennett.
Fred Daniel Bennett was born April 6, 1855 in York, Indiana County, Ohio. He married Alma Jane Smolk on December 25, 1878. Alma was born on May 5, 1859. She was called "Jennie" by her family. She was the daughter of Henry K. Smolk and Sarah Thrapp. Sarah later appears as Sarah Souther. I do not know if Souther was her maiden name, her name from a previous marriage, or her name from a later marriage. Since Henry married Elizabeth Ellison in 1864, I presume either he and Sarah were divorced by that time, or Sarah had passed away. Henry Smolk died in 1899.
Fred and Jenny produced at least one daughter, Bertha Bennett, who was born in February, 1884.
Fred died on February 19, 1914 at the age of 58. Alma died December 27, 1931. Both are buried in the York cemetery in York, Jefferson County, Ohio.
Elmer Ellsworth Bennett was born June 17, 1861 in York, Indiana County, Ohio. He died May 28, 1883 at the age of 21. He was a farmer and Republican.
Elmer Ellsworth Bennett.
Milo Adelbert Bennett was born November 21, 1863 in York, Indiana County, Ohio. He married Cora Edna Hunt on November 21, 1894. Cora was born December 29, 1871 to Chauncey Hunt and Mary Jane Blaunot.
Milo and Cora had at least one daughter.
Alice May Bennett was born in May 1897. She married Maxwell Alexander Naftzger who was born in Wooster, Ohio on November 1, 1891.
Alice and Maxwell had four children.
Maxwell Naftzger died November 29, 1975 in Medina, Medina County, Ohio. Alice died November 18, 1981 in Medina.
Milo was a farmer and an engineer. He was a Republican. Milo died December 9, 1918 in Medina, Medina County, Ohio.
Ida May Bennett was born September 6, 1869 in York, Indiana County, Ohio. She married Burton Morelle Lockwood on September 3, 1896. Burton was born June 7, 1875 to Webb Lockwood and Marietta Doolittle. Ida and Burton had no children together, but they adopted one daughter.
Ida died August 5, 1925. Mrs. E. C. Miner memorialized Ida as follows.
Ida, only daughter of a family of seven children, born to David and Emeline Tillotson Bennett at York, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1869, died at her home near Beebetown, Aug. 5, 1929, aged nearly 60 years. She was married to Burton Lockwood, Sept. 3, 1896, and they made their home in Brunswick. As they had no children of their own, they adopted a girl, Irene, who is now married and with a little child are left to mourn with the husband.
Ida May Bennett.
Children of David and Mary Emeline Bennett.
Top left: Elmer Ellsworth Bennett
Top middle: Charles Edward Bennett
Top right: Ida May Bennett
Bottom left: Francis O. Bennett
Bottom right: Lucius Bennett
The History of Medina County and Ohio published by Baskin and Battey, 1881 contains the following biographical sketch of David and Mary.
DAVID H. BENNETT, farmer and stockraiser; P.O. Mallet Creek. There is no family more worthy of a sketch in this work than the family of Mr. Bennett, of York Township. Mr. Bennett is a son of Oliver and Betsey (Ford) Bennett, who came to Brunswick Township, Medina Co., Ohio, in 1827. Mr. Bennett was a native of New Hampshire, and his wife of Massachusetts. They were married in New York, and were parents of ten children, seven of whom are yet living. Our subject was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., March 5, 1820, and was reared on a farm, and, in after years, has made that his business. His father died August, 1863, and his mother August, 1859. On the 10th of April, 1845, he was united in marriage with Mary Tillotson, daughter of the old pioneer Daniel Tillotson, who came to Brunswick Township at the early date of 1815. To this union, were born six sons and one daughter -- Lucius H., Francis O., Charles E., Fred B., Elmer E., Milo A. and Ida M. Francis, Charles and Fred are married. After his marriage, Mr. Bennett worked his father's farm four years, receiving one-third of the proceeds. In 1849, he came to York Township, and settled on the farm he now owns, buying at that time 50 acres, paying $250 cash, with a balance of $550 to pay. He worked very hard here, and, at the end of a few prosperous years, was enabled to pay the full amount for the land. By degrees, he has since added, until be now owns a fine farm of 97 acres, which is clear of all incumbrances, which he has gained by legitimate farming. Mr. Bennett is a staunch Republican in politics, and an earnest worker in the advancement of education. Mrs. Bennett was born in Brunswick Township Oct. 11, 1821. Mr. Bennett's father served all through the war of 1812; enlisting as private, he was promoted to Orderly Sergeant. Mr. Bennett and wife are esteemed citizens of York Township.
David Humes Bennett died in York, Medina County, Ohio on September 7, 1892 at the age of 72. Mary Emeline Tillotson Bennett died November 30, 1906 at the age of 85. Mary's sister-in-law Emma Morton Tillotson wrote the following appreciation of Mary.
Emeline Tillotson Bennett was born Oct. 11, 1821. She was the eldest daughter of Daniel and Tryphena Hulet Tillotson who were pioneer settlers of Brunswick. She grew to womanhood amidst the scenes and and environments of pioneer life. She knew how to use the spinning wheel and the loom in making cloth from which was fashioned the clothing for the family. She experienced many privations which were the heritage of the early settlers. She was married to David Bennett at Brunswick, April 10, 1845. She lived with her youngest son and family at the old home and was tenderly and lovingly cared for to the close of her life which came November 30, 1906. Her age was 85 years, was always helpful and cheerful, never lacking in good works and kindly deeds. The influence of her life will ever be.
Some of the photos here courtesy Wayne L. Caswell, William Tompkins, Thomas Tompkins, and Paul Lowrey. Jodi Maley provided information about the Smolk family.
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Last modified by pib on June 12, 2011.