Attached are pics that were discovered in the last minute of the estate sale
of a cousin in Vancouver. She was the grand daughter of John Henry Bennett
of Petrolia. My guess the pic of the house/family would have taken about
1888/89. Dont know what street they lived on. John Henry was an Oil
Producer & Reeve in Petrolia 1865, his wife was Mary Jane Barnum. They
left Petrolia abt. 1908/09 for Bakersfield, California. The pic that
is attached of John Henry is on that hangs in the Oil Museum. Also attached
is Mary Jane Barnum Bennett holding daughter Ida Mae. She was born 1869 &
appears to be about a year old. John Henry is in the Commenorative Biographical
Record of Lambton County 1909 page 71 & 72. All of their children were
born & raised in Petrolia.
The pic of the 2 boys is my great grandfather WilliamSidney
& Chester Bennett abt. 1895/96 by Rolson in Petrolia.
The pic of the 6 girls are the daughters of John Henry
& Mary Jane. Date unknown, however the youngest girl is Ethel Helen &
she apprears to be about 7 or 8 yrs.old.
L - R
Edith Mabel,Ida Mae,Eleanor Louise,Mary Melissa,Bertha
& Ethel Helen.
Ethel Helen & my great grandfather William Sidney
were twins & born April 1885, their pic is attached. John Henrys brothers
Alexander, Frederick Chas.,George Noel, & James resided in Petrolia.
Their children were born there as well.