CO-ROOTS-L Archives

From: "Maggie Stewart" <>
Subject: CHESTER C. BENNETT
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 13:19:06 -0400

"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II


p. 143-144



CHESTER C. BENNETT.

Chester C. Bennett, president of the Western Securities
Investment Company, of Denver, was born May 25,1865. in Lima, Rock
county, Wisconsin. His father, George Bennett, was a native of New
York, where the family settled at an early day but prior to that
settlement was made by his ancestors in Vermont. George Bennett was a
successful agriculturist and stock raiser of Rock county, Wisconsin,
for many years, having cast in his lot with its pioneer residents in
the year 1850. There he remained a respected and valued citizen of the
community for his remaining years, passing away in 1913 at the age of
eighty-five. In early manhood he wedded Susan F. Osmond, also a native
of the state of New York and of English parentage. She passed away at
the old homestead in Rock county, which she occupied for more than
fifty-five years, her death occurring in 1915, when she had passed the
eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey.

The family numbered five sons, of whom Chester C. Bennett was the
fourth in order of birth. He mastered the elementary branches of
learning in the district schools near his father's home and afterward
attended Milton College in Rock county, Wisconsin. His early life to
the age of eighteen years was spent upon the home farm and through the
periods of vacation he assisted in the work ot the fields, early
becoming familiar with the best methods .of tilling the soil and caring
for the crops. His first vocation after leaving home was that of
teaching, which profession he followed in Rock county for about
eighteen months. He next entered the mercantile business on his own
account at Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1888 and there he continued until
1892, when he turned his attention to the real estate and farm loan
business, continuing successful operations in that field for some time.
He not only engaged in buying and selling property on his own account
but also handled real estate for others and likewise engaged in
business as a merchandise broker, buying and selling established
mercantile enterprises until January 13, 1902. The opportunities of the
west attracted him and at the date mentioned he arrived in Denver. He
has since figured prominently in financial circles of this city. He was
one of the directors in full charge of the investments for the Colorado
National Life Insurance Company and continued in that company until the
business was sold in 1912. Soon thereafter he established and
incorporated the Western Securities Investment Company, of which he
became the president, and has so served to the present time. The
company today controls one of the largest businesses of the kind in the
west and has many clients not only in Colorado but throughout
neighboring states. Mr. Bennett and his associate officers are
thoroughly informed concerning property values and securities of all
kinds and are thus able to assist their clients in making judicious and
profitable Investments, bringing ready returns for their money. Mr.
Bennett is also treasurer and a director of the Eastern Colorado Farm
Loan Company and president of the Bennett-Bradford Ranch Company. He
has displayed notable enterprise and keen discernment in the conduct of
his affairs and is a close student of everything in any way related to
the business. He is constantly watching the trend of the times along
business lines and his Intelligently directed effort has placed him in
a conspicuous, successful and enviable position in financial circles.

On the 5th of November, 1889, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage
in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Miss Laura C. Chapman, a native of that
place and a daughter of Horace D. and Amanda E. (Louden) Chapman. Her
father, who is now deceased, was for years roadmaster with the Chicago
& Northwestern Railway Company. Her mother belonged to an old and
prominent family of Janesville. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born
two children: Erminie, who is the wife of Harold J. Sanborn, a resident
of Cleveland, Ohio; and Audrey E., who married Blaine B. Wallace, a
lieutenant in the United States Army.

Mr. Bennett gives his political endorsement to the republican
party. Fraternally he is a Mason and he is identified with the Chamber
ot Commerce. His interests are thus broad and varied and he is a
supporter of all those activities which work for the material
development and the civic progress of his adopted city. Along the lines
of an orderly progression he has advanced to a creditable place in
business and financial circles of Denver and many of his fellow
townsmen bear high testimony to his enterprise, his business ability
and his sterling personal worth.

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• CHESTER C. BENNETT by "Maggie Stewart" <>