Joseph Bennett (Mississippi politician)
American politician
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Joseph Bennett (May 9, 1816 - June 25, 1882) was an American politician in Mississippi. A Republican who eventually switched to become a Democrat, he served in the Mississippi State Senate in 1852 and 1854, and from 1870 to 1876. He was its president pro tempore from 1872 to 1874.
Joseph Bennett | |
|---|---|
c. 1874 | |
| 15th President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi State Senate | |
| In office January 5, 1872 – January 21, 1874 | |
| Preceded by | William M. Hancock |
| Succeeded by | Finis H. Little |
| Member of the Mississippi State Senate | |
| In office January 1870 – January 1876 | |
| In office 1852–1854 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 9, 1816 |
| Died | June 25, 1882 (aged 66) |
| Party | Republican (1870-1875) |
Early life
Joseph Bennett was born on May 9, 1816, in Wayne County, Mississippi.[1] He moved to Rankin County, Mississippi, at the age of 19.[1]
Career
Bennett served as Probate Clerk of Rankin County for 8 years including in 1843.[1][2][3] He was a Delegate to the Democratic State Convention in 1847.[4]
He represented Rankin and Smith Counties in the Mississippi State Senate in 1852 and 1854.[5][6][7] He was a Delegate to the State Temperance Convention on May 4, 1853.[8] He was elected to represent the 8th District (Hinds, Rankin, and Simpson Counties) in the Mississippi State Senate in 1869, defeating W. F. Fitzgerald and Henry Patterson.[1][9] He was considered a conservative Republican.[10] He was then re-elected to represent the 11th District, and on January 5, 1872, he was elected to serve as president pro tempore of the Senate.[11][5][1] According to one source, Bennett succeeded Ridgley C. Powers as Lieutenant Governor after Powers became Governor.[12] In July 1872, he announced his endorsement of Democrat Horace Greeley in that year's Presidential Election.[13] He was elected again to the 11th District, and resigned his position of President pro tempore on January 21, 1874.[14]
Bennett renounced his association with the Republican Party in August 1875.[15] His term ended in 1876.[5] He died on June 25, 1882, in Madison Station, Mississippi.[16]