Camden People - Killam Edgar Bennett

KILLAM EDGAR BENNETT was born on July 31, 1865 in Camden NJ, the eldest child of Volney G. and Emmeline Bennett. His father, Volney Bennett Sr., operated a large lumber business in Camden with George A. Munger. After completing his education at the age of 23, Killam Bennett joined the business, and succeeded George A. Munger as a member of the firm. His brother, Volney Bennett Jr. also took part in the business.

Killam Bennett's early years were spent at 310 North 6th Street in Camden. After his marriage in September of 1889 to Grace Bennett, of Scottsville NY, Killam Bennett moved to "River avenue near Cooper avenue, n Cramer's Hill" according to the 1890-1891 Camden City Directory.

Killam E. Bennett also was involved, along with William L. Hurley, George A. Munger, and Volney G. Bennett, in the incorporation of the Central Trust Company. This bank built a large building at 401 Federal Street, which is still standing. The bank advertised as "the most acceptable small bank known", catering to "women's accounts", and kept Saturday evening hours for workers unable to bank during the week. He was a member of the Camden Club, the Camden Rotary Club, and was past president of the Camden Chamber of Commerce.

Like his father, Killam E. Bennett moved to Riverton NJ, where he spent the later years of his life. At the time of the 1930 census he lived at 605 Bank Street with his second wife, Leona. He passed away on September 18, 1933 after a brief illness.

After many years in Camden, the family business, Volney G. Bennett Lumber, moved to Barrington NJ, where it remains in business today.

CENTRAL TRUST COMPANY
1906 Officers & Directors
From an 1906 City Directory Ad

A. McCRACKEN, President
C. T. SHARPLESS, Vice-President
T. S. NEKERVIS, Treasurer
C. CHESTER CRAIG, Trust Officer
WILLIAM C. JONES, Solicitor.

====== D I RECTORS ======

A. McCRACKEN
T. S. NEKERVIS
CASPER T. SHARPLESS
CHARLES HELM
CHARLES BOSCH
FITHIAN S. SIMMONS
A. J. FULLMER
GEORGE A. MUNGER
MAHLON F. IVINS
JESSE W. STARR III
RICHARD F. SMITH
CONRAD SCHWOERER
W. LEONARD HURLEY
WILLIAM C. JONES
KILLIAM E. BENNETT

Camden Courier-Post - September 18, 1933

Dies at 68

RIVERTON’S MAYOR DIES IN HOSPITAL
Killam E. Bennett, Lumber Merchant,
Former C. of C. President

Riverton, Sept. 18.- Mayor Killam E. Bennett, 68, of 605 Bank Avenue, prominent retired lumberman and civic leader, died early today in University Hospital, Philadelphia, after a short illness.

Mayor Bennett, who was stricken more than a week ago while returning to his home from the Century of Progress, Chicago, was taken to the hospital Friday, and an operation was performed.

During the trip East, doctors were brought on the train at Cleveland and Washington to treat Mayor Bennett. Death was attributed to peritonitis, precipitated by a kidney ailment.

Mayor Bennett has served as Riverton's chief executive for many years. He was Mayor of Riverton for many years and several years ago he retired from the office. In 1931 he was the unopposed Republican candidate to return to that office.

Bennett was a native son of Camden, where he was born in 1865, and received his education in the public schools.

When he was 18 he went to work for his father, Volney G. Bennett, in the capacity of "'tally boy" around the yards and office of the lumber establishment owned by his father at Second and Cherry streets .

When he reached his majority he associated himself in the lumber business with George A. and C. W. Munger. Two years later he purchased George A. Munger's share in the business and for 10 years continued the partnership with C. W. Munger.

At Munger's death Bennett took over the entire business. He retired from active business several years ago. He held membership in many lumber and lumber manufacturers' associations.

In 1931 Bennett was president of the Camden Chamber of Commerce. Until his death he was a member of the Camden Club and the Camden Rotary Club.

He was chairman of the South Jersey Transit Commission in 1929, a commission instituted by the state legislature to survey traffic conditions in South Jersey.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed. He is survived by his wife, Leona Baldwin Bennett.

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - 1897

	1915 Advertisement Central Trust Company