Among the merchants of Obion County probably none is more widely or more favorably known than the subject of this review, who has been engaged in business in the city of Troy for a period of forty years. His parents, Wm. H. and Temperance (Jackson) Bennett, were both natives of North Carolina and were married after coming to Tennessee. In 1840 he came to Tennessee and settled in Decatur County, but after a residence of about twelve or thirteen years there they removed to Obion County in 1853, and here W. H. Bennett purchased a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on May 22, 1896. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, ten of whom are now living, the sons being either farmers or merchants. The family is therefore well known throughout the county, where its members have wielded considerable influence upon the industries and political destinies of the county and state.
John W. Bennett was born April 1, 1851, in Decatur County, Tennessee, and came to Obion with parents when about three years old, where his entire life has been passed. He was educated in the local schools, and while still in his boyhood became interested in mercantile pursuits, with which he has ever since been associated. Beginning business for himself with a small stock of goods, he has gradually added to it until at the present time he has one of the best assortments and one of the best equipped mercantile establishments in the city of Troy. His store building is thirty by one hundred feet and two stories in height. It is considered one of the best brick buildings in Troy. Passing from the outside to the interior of the building the visitor is at once impressed with the well selected and carefully arranged stock of general merchandise, including a full line of general hardware and groceries. Here Mr. Bennett is “monarch of all he surveys.” He has been in the business for so long a time that he knows just where everything is, so that his customers are sure of prompt attention and courteous treatment at all times. By assiduous attention to the needs of his trade and care in the selection of goods to meet the demand, he has built up a lucrative and permanent business. It is intended as no disparagement to the other retail dealers of Troy to say that he stands at the head, and it might be said that he is the Nestor of the mercantile business of the city.
Mr. Bennett, notwithstanding the demands of his personal affairs and his constantly growing trade, has found time to devote to the public welfare in an official capacity. He has served as a member of the town board, and is always a willing and intelligent helper of any and every movement for the improvement of Troy and the welfare of her people. His long residence there has rendered him familiar with conditions, and he is usually one of the first men to be consulted when any proposition for the advancement of Troy’s material interests comes up for consideration, thus marking him as a man of public spirit and progressive ideas.
In 1874 Mr. Bennett married Miss Amanda Oliver, daughter of William Oliver, and to this union have born two children—John O. and Clara.The son is now the manager of the Troy Flour Mills and is one of the promising young business men of the city. The daughter married G. R. McDade, of Troy.
