Edward Bennett was also an early member of the Buffalo Board of Park Commissioners; he was appointed when the law originally establishing the Board was amended in 1872 to expand it from 12 members to 15. At the same time, the members’ term of service was lengthened from 5 years to 6. Mr. Bennett served on the board from 1872 to 1878. He intended to retire from participation after one term, in May, 1878. However, he was induced to return to the board that same August to complete the term of board member Frank Perew, who had just resigned. Mr. Bennett fulfilled that term, and then was reappointed for an additional term, retiring from the Board in May, 1888 after 18 years of service.
Edward Bennett was born on 21 February 1827 in Buffalo. His father, Philander Bennett was a very prominent attorney, judge and real estate investor in Buffalo, and was one of the city’s wealthiest citizens at that time.
From 1841 to 1848 Edward clerked in a retail establishment. Then, in 1848, aged 21, Edward traveled west to join the California gold rush. His enthusiasm lasted but a year, and he returned to Buffalo. At the 1850 census, he was residing with his parents with no occupation shown; but, interestingly, he owned real estate valued at $8000. (His father, listed as “attorney” was recorded as having real property valued at $100,000.)
The following year, on 4 Feb 1851, Edward joined a partnership with Elias Weed as Elias Weed & Co. in produce and commission business located on Buffalo’s Central Wharf. By mutual consent, the partnership was dissolved as of 5 January 1852.
Edward Bennett was elected as Alderman for the Fifth Ward of Buffalo in 1853, and was reelected to that office in 1855. As noted above, he was appointed to the Park Board began in 1872, serving to 1888. He stood for election for mayor in 1877, but was unsuccessful. The same year Edward Bennett ran for mayor, he was elected as trustee of the Buffalo Savings Bank.
On October 1885 he married Mary-Josephine Oster-Auchinieck at Buffalo. The couple had no children. In 1890, he was chosen as First Vice President of that bank, and then in October 1893 he became its President. After 5 years in that position, he resigned from the bank due to declining health on 7 February 1898.
He died 11 May 1898 at his Buffalo home, survived by his wife.
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