Bro. Bennett, son of Ira and Angelica (Templer) Bennett, was born October 14, 1833, in the town of Duanesburgh, Schenectady county, N. Y., and in the district school of that town he learned his first lessons. After taking an academical course he finished his education at the Albany, N. Y., Law school, from which he graduated in March, 1857. In September of the same year he left his native State and settled in Racine, Wis., where he opened a law office. He married Miss Isabella E. Fisher in Racine in 1858. He was for two years Prosecuting Attorney of Racine county. In 1869 he went to Chicago, Ill., and coming to Utah in 1871, instituted a law firm in Salt Lake City, of which he has ever since been the senior partner, and which is still in existence. He has also been engaged in mining business in Utah and adjoining States and Territories. From 1880 to 1883 he lived in London, England, in the interest of a large mining company which operated in Utah silver mines.

Bro. Bennett always took a deep interest in national politics, and was ever considered a staunch leader of the Republican party in Utah. He was a member of the National Republican Committee from 1888 to 1892.

The Masonic Record of Bro. Bennett is an enviable one. He was initiated in Racine Lodge No. 18, Racine, Wis., January 25th, passed February 8th, and raised March 3, 1864. Was Junior Warden of the Lodge in 1865, Senior Warden 1866 and Master 1867. He dimitted from Racine Lodge March 16, 1870, and affiliated with Wasatch Lodge No. 1 April 12, 1872, of which he was Master in 1874.

In the Grand Lodge of Utah Bro. Bennett was Grand Lecturer in 1873; Grand Master from November 14, 1874, to November 10, 1875; Grand Orator in 1876 and 1877; Grand Chaplain in 1878 and 1879. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of South Australia since May 29, 1886, and of the Grand Lodge of Idaho since June 29, 1889. Was a member of the Jurisprudence Committee in 1874, 1876 to 1883, and in 1885. His Grand Lodge number is 17, Lodge No. 18. He holds an honorary membership in the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast since August 1880.

Bro. Bennett in the Father of the “Utah Standard Work.” He was the originator of the Masonic Public Library, 1875, and since its first opening for public use, September 1, 1877, the chief protector of the institution, which since February 1, 1891, was known as the Pioneer Library Association, of which he was President until December 22, 1897, when the Grand Lodge donated all the furniture and 8000 volumes of miscellaneous works to the Free Public Library of Salt Lake City.

Bro. Bennett received the Capitular degrees in Orient Chapter No. 1, R. A. M., Racine, Wis., in the year 1865, as follows: W. M., March 12th; P. M., May 19th, W. E. M., July 7th; R. A., November 3rd. He was King of said Chapter in 1867 and High Priest in 1868, and dimitted from it March 16, 1870.

Was a charter member of Utah Chapter No. 1, R. A. M., and several times its High Priest.

Brother Bennett died on October 18, 1906, in Salt Lake City, Utah