Background
Bennett was born in Union County, Indiana. He left his father"s farm in 1850 to attend Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University) where he received his law degree in 1855.
Bennett was born in Union County, Indiana. He left his father"s farm in 1850 to attend Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University) where he received his law degree in 1855.
He also served as a Congressional delegate from the territory from March 4, 1875 to June 23, 1876. He also served in the Indiana State Senate. Bennett returned to Liberty and practiced there until the Civil War.
A year after his move to Richmond, Indiana, he was elected mayor and served for two years.
Bennett, a Civil War veteran and local politician in his native Indiana, was the fifth choice of President Ulysses South. Grant to succeed David West. Ballard as Idaho Territory governor. Grant"s first two nominees accepted the appointment, but then each quickly decided to instead accept other government appointments before they ever travelled to Idaho.
A third choice declined the offer entirely, while the fourth, Thomas M. Bowen, disliked the Idaho landscape so intensely that he resigned from the governorship and returned east after only one week in office. As a result, fifth choice Bennett took office several months after Ballard"s term expired.
All told, the territory had been effectively without a governor for an entire year when Bennett accepted the position.
He was Governor of Idaho Territory from 1871 to 1875. Upon leaving office Bennett returned to Indiana. Bennett died on February 2, 1893 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.
He is interred at Earlham Cemetery, Richmond, Wayne County, United States of America.