JUDGE CASWELL BENNETT is a native of Halifax County, Va., and a son of Ambrose and Frances Bennett, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of North Carolina. Ambrose Bennett was educated for the bar, but never practiced his profession. He moved to North Carolina when subject was a small boy, and died in that State about 1847 or 1848. He was an active business man, and during his life held various official positions. Frances Bennett, subject's mother, was a daughter of Mr. Wadlington, a native of North Carolina, and of Irish descent. She died in 1882, at the age of eighty years. Ambrose and Frances Bennett reared a family of seven children, whose names are as follows: Richard, Susan (deceased), Lafayette, Ada, Elizabeth (deceased), Caswell and Belle. Judge Bennett received a fair education in the common schools of the country, and later attended the Milwood Institute, Tennessee, for three sessions, and in 1853 commenced the study of law. One year later he entered the Lebanon law school at Lebanon, Tenn., after which he read law in the office of Judge Underwood, of Bowling Green, Ky., with whom he remained several months. From Bowling Green he went to Elkton, Ky., where he completed his legal studies, and in 1857 was admitted to the bar, receiving his license from Judges Graham and Dabney. After obtaining his license he came to Smithland, where he commenced the practice of his profession, in which he has achieved eminent success, being considered one of the leading jurists in west Kentucky. In 1867 he was elected common pleas judge for the Third Judicial District, a position he held for fourteen years. At the present time he is the senior member of the law firm of Bennett & Cruce, and has an extensive practice throughout the State. November 22, 1867, Judge Bennett married Miss Anna T., daughter of James W. and Sarah (Young) Cruce, of Crittenden County, Ky. To this marriage were born three children; Caswell, Jr., Ada and Anna. Mrs. Bennett died July 19, 1883. Judge Bennett is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 809.