No. 13117 Leo Bennett
Photograph in a collection of photographs and service records maintained by Dr. Nathaniel Royal Perkins. During World I, Dr. Perkins was employed by the draft registration board to examine young men for the draft. During this job, he befriended many servicemen and kept track of their military service during the war. Dr. Perkins died in 1922, and his widow, Clara, donated the collection to the Dorchester Historical Society in 1924.
Leo Vincent Bennett was born January 18, 1897. He lived at 1062 Washington Street, Dorchester, and worked for Brown Bros. & Company at 60 State Street. On his World War I draft card, he listed his mother as his nearest relative, Harriet Bennett. He was described as tall of medium build with dark brown hair and light blue eyes.
In 1910, his family consisted of the following members mentioned in the U.S. Census. His parents were born in French Canada and emigrated to the U.S. in 1876.
Simon Bennett, 63, chocolate mill, packer
Harrite Bennett, 52
Nellie W. Bennett, 28, dressmaker, at home
Annie S. Bennett, 26, waitress, hotel
Mary E. Bennett, 24, dressmaker, at home
Alice G. Bennett, 20dressmaker, at home
Agnes F. Bennett, 17, telegraph op,, r. r. office
Charles S. Bannett, 15, grocery, clerk
Leo V. Bennett, 13
The 1920 Census found Leo at 230 Barlston Street, Watertown, with his wife Catherine C. Bennett. He was a telephone operator in a bank
Daughter, Catherine L. Bennett, was born in 1921. Leo V. Bennett, Jr. was born March 10, 1924. The 1930 Census found the family on Edwin Street in Quincy. His occupation was given as lawyer with his own office. By 1934 they were living at 1062 Washington Street, Drochester. Leo was a telephone operator that year.
The 1940 U.S. Census recorded that Leo and Leo, Jr., were living with his Leo’s sister, Agnes, at 1062 Washington Street. Leo’s daughter, Catherine, may have been living there as well, but the name given was Leona, 19 years of age. Leo was listed as a widower; however, his obituary said that Catherine was still alive. Perhaps, the Census taker made an incorrect assumption since Catherine was not living with her husband. His occupation in 1940 was sub clerk, postal.
Leo died in June 1943. His mass of requiem was celebrated in St. Gregory’s Church. The obituary in the Boston Globe, June 26, 1943, stated that he was a graduate of Dorchester High School and Suffolk Law School. He entered the Post Office seven years before his death. He left a wife, the former Catherine Sheridan; a daughter, Mrs. John Gibbons of North Quincy; and son, Leo V., Jr., in the Navy at Norfolk, Virginia.