Alden Isaac Bennett

Alden Isaac Bennett, second child of Joseph and Lydia Birdsall Bennett, was born in Otsego County, NY, December 25, 1834.  During his boyhood years the family made several overland trips by wagon to and from New York state to Knox County, Illinois.  When he reached manhood he decided to remain in Illinois and on September 13, 1856, married Francis Melvina Codding.  The house was established near Galva, Henry County, where he remained till 1873 when he removed to Ringgold County, settling in Liberty Township.  About three years later he moved to Mount Ayr which has since been his home.  His family consists of the following: Melvin now of Minneapolis, MN., Joseph of Letcher, SD.; Ira Bert, deceased (August 15, 1919); Walter L., died in infancy; Alden Ernest, Mount Ayr, IA; and the wife and mother who departed this life November 17, 1924. By occupation he was a farmer and stockman in which he was actively and successfully engaged for many years.  By Nature he was public spirited and generous, overflowing  with sympathy and kindly feeling for his fellow man.  During a series of meetings at the Presbyterian church under pastorate of the late Rev. E.P. Wood he was converted and acknowledged Christ as his Savior.  Later he united with the Methodist church of which for years he was and earnest and active member.  In 1901 he was stricken with an affection of a nerve of the face which proved to be very painful and extremely baffling.  He visited many hospitals and submitted himself to several major and numerous minor surgeries none of which gave more than temporary relief.  Thus for more than twenty years he was an almost constant and much of the time an acute sufferer, until his death September 27, 1924, at the home of his son, Alden E., where the weary years of pain were softened by faithful hands and loving hearts, aged 89 years, 9 months and 2 days.  The funeral  was held yesterday afternoon at two o’clock from the M.E. Church , conducted by Rev. W. B. Thompson, of Chariton, assisted by Rev. Jay Kirkendall, and the body was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery.