George W. Bennett papers

Methodist Episcopal minister, George W. Bennett, was born in London, England, January 18, 1817. His family emigrated to the United States when he was around one year of age, settling in Edwards County, Illinois. His parents died soon after leaving Bennett and his older sister orphaned. Bennett attended a camp meeting in 1832 where he began his conversion experience. At age 17 Bennett apprenticed as a blacksmith, while continuing his struggle with salvation. After nearly two years he accepted Christ and in 1837 the elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mount Carmel, Ill. granted him a license to exhort - just one week after he married Rachel Wood of Mount Carmel. In 1854 he moved his family to Minnesota until 1877 when they moved to Oregon. Rachel Bennett died in 1896 and George died in 1905.