grave import

Obituary

Jedediah Bennett, one of the pioneer manufacturers of this city, is critically ill at the Burlington hospital and will probably not live through the day. Last Friday he was stricken with paralysis for the second time and since that time has been unconscious.
Jedediah Bennett is 87 years of age. He was born in a town named Harrison, which is on the borderline between Ohio and Indiana. As the state line bisected the town, Mr. Bennett never knew whether he was born in Ohio or Indiana, although he claimed Indiana as his state. He came to Burlington in 1847 and established a carriage shop at Washington and Third streets. In 1864, John Frantz came to Burlington from Pennsylvania, he formed a partnership with Mr. Bennett, and the well-known firm of Bennett & Frantz was organized for the purpose of manufacturing carriages and vehicles of all descriptions. The plant was located on Third Street between Washington and Columbia and later was moved to the corner of Columbia and Third.
This firm manufactured handmade carriages and busses and all the old-time stage coaches using in Iowa were products of this company. In 1872, in the big fire which consumed several square blocks, the Bennett & Frantz factory was burned to the ground. The company rebuilt on a larger scale and continued business. The introduction of machinery into the manufacture of carriages brought this firm into competition with cheaper carriages and in the spring of 1892 the company made on assignment, after almost thirty years of life. The following spring John Frantz passed away. Mr. Bennett, the senior member of the firm continued to make Burlington his home but of late years his advanced age compelled him to lay aside active duties and he has been cared for by friends. He is a staunch Methodist and was prominent in the old Zion church and assisted in the building of the First Methodist Church building. He has no near relatives.
Mr. Bennett was married in 1844, to Miss Sarah J Richardson, of Logan County, Ohio. Of the four children who came to bless this union, three died in childhood, the fourth, a son, Edwin A. a bright, promising young man, was killed by the cars in 1875. Several years ago the good wife passed away to the beyond, leaving the old man alone, but not discouraged. He bravely continued to do work that offered and to do his duty in all things as it had been given him to see his duty.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 4:00 at the First ME church. Rev. IBSchreckengast will officiate.