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biography
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Bennett, William, chief of Braddock police, is a son of Elisha C.
and Letetia (McFarland) Bennett, the former an Englishman, who
married Miss McFarland in Ireland and came to America in the
early forties. Elisha Bennett served in the Mexican war, and on
the advent of the Civil war enlisted in the 19th regulars.
Five of his sons also fought in the war. William Bennett,
the subject of this article, was born in Allegheny City, Pa.,
Oct. 13, 1845. He attended the public schools and in early
youth commenced working in the Pittsburg glass factory, where
he remained about two years, and also in other places until
the outbreak of the Civil war. On Sept. 24, 1861, he enlisted
in Company E, 54th Pennsylvania volunteers, where he served
three years, and then re-enlisted and served until the close
of the war. During this time he fought in the battles of New
Market, on the Shenandoah, Piedmont, Lexington, Lynchburg,
Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Fort Gregg, in front
of Petersburg, and at High Bridge, Va. At High Bridge, April 9,
1865, he was taken prisoner with his command, but on the fall
of Appomattox and Lee's surrender three days afterwards, he was
released. Returning to civil life, Mr. Bennett was married, July
3, 1865, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Hamel)
Critchlow, both parents being descended from pioneer families of
that section. After marriage he was employed at the Cambria iron
works at Johnstown, Pa., until 1873, and worked in the Michigan
forests until September, 1876. Returning to Braddock, he accepted
a position in the Edgar Thompson steel works, where he remained
until the strike of 1888. March 1, 1890, he became a patrolman
on the Braddock police force, and on April 15, 1894, was promoted
to the position of chief, in which position he has materially improved
the moral tone and working qualities of the force by his executive
ability and unassuming Christian conduct. To Chief Bennett and wife
have been born thirteen children. Earl was drowned when eighteen
months old, and Sadie died of scarlet fever at about the same age.
Stephen M. and Daniel were both killed at the blast furnace in early
manhood. Of the boys, William J. has been for nine years constable
in the third ward; Joseph is roller in a wire mill; Albert is a
mechanic in the steel works, and Herbert a machinist in the car
barns of the Pittsburg electric railway. Of the girls, Lizzie is
the wife of Thomas Hunter, a machinist of Braddock; Anna is the
wife of William Rothrauff, a Braddock policeman; Jessie is married
to John Lowers, assistant postmaster of the city, and Pearl and
May are at home. In national politics Mr. Bennett is a republican.
He is a member of Camp No. 1, Union Veteran Legion, of Pittsburg,
and Major Harper post No. 181, G.A.R. He and his wife and three
daughters are members of the First Baptist Church at Braddock.
Memoirs of Allegheny County Vol 2 page 108-109. Contributed by Gail O'Neill
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