DR. EARL W. BENNETT, DOW PIONEER, DIES AT 93
The man who became know as "the financial wizard" of Dow Chemical Company died this morning. Dr. Earl W. Bennett's life ended at 6:05 a.m. today at his home, 714 West Main, at the age of 93. He had been in failing health for some time.
His career during his lifetime ranged from a lumber camp cook, to chairman of Dow's board of directors. A 69 - year association with the company ended March 4, 1969, when at the age of 89, he resigned as a member of the board but
remained as honorary chairman for life.
In a statement, Carl E. Gerstacker, current chairman of Dow's board, said "Earl Bennett lived a full and enormously useful life." Gerstacker recalled the testimonial dinner in Midland Jan. 18, 1960, on the occasion of Dr. Bennett's 80th birthday and his 60th year with Dow. "Today, we remember that tribute to a man who began in a modest position with a struggling young enterprise and, who
through courage, foresight and unending devotion, helped it and himself rise until it became one of the nation's major industrial organizations. We have had the good fortune of having had the friendship and association of a most uncommon man."
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joseph I. Mortensen officiating. Burial will be in Midland cemetery.
Friends may call at the Ware-Smith Funeral Home from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The family will be present between 3 and 6 p.m. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
It was in the spring of 1900 that he became an employee of Dow, then only three years old after its incorporation in 1897. As a office boy, he was one of 33 employees. His starting salary was an "attractive" $6.93 per week. A short time later he became the company's official book-keeper. In 1902, he was appointed company auditor, became assistant secretary and assistant treasurer in 1927, a director in 1927, a vice president in 1931, company treasurer in 1934, and elected board chairman, a post held by Dr. Willard H. Dow, son of the company's founder Dr. Herbert H. Dow, when he was killed in an airplane crash that year near London, Ont., and honorary chairman in 1960.
He was born Jan. 18, 1880, in White Cloud, Mich. His father was a lumber camp supply superintendant, thus he grew up-in and around Michigan's lumbering operations. He received his early education in Midland and was graduated from high school in Grand Rapids after which he followed his parents to North Carolina.
In 1905, he married a Midland girl, the former Eva Barclay, and they became the parents of eight children. Dr. Bennett was a life member of Centre Lodge No. 273, a 33rd degree Mason, a member of the Bay City Scottish Rite and the Ef Khurafeh Shrine of Saginaw. At the time of his death, he also was a member of the board of the Chemical Bank and Trust Company. He was one of the original incorporators of its predecessor, the Chemical State Savings Bank, a stockholder and an original director when the bank was opened March 14, 1917. He also served ast its first vice president at that time.
From April 13, 1949, until Feb. 7, 1969, he served on the board of Dow Corning Corporation. He also was a member of Midland Rotary Club, Midland Country Club and First Baptist Church. His survivors include his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Alden B. Dow and Mrs. Alden W. Hanson, both of Midland, Mrs. Charles F. Reed of Houston, Tex.; and Mrs. B. M. Bobbitt of Miami, Fla.; four sons, Robert B. Bennett of Midland, W. V. Bennett of Miami, David S. Bennett of Port Orange, Fla., and Thomas J. Bennett of Miami; 19 grandchildren and 23 great - grandchildren.
Midland Daily News dated 9-20-1973 Page - 1.
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The man who became know as "the financial wizard" of Dow Chemical Company died this morning. Dr. Earl W. Bennett's life ended at 6:05 a.m. today at his home, 714 West Main, at the age of 93. He had been in failing health for some time.
His career during his lifetime ranged from a lumber camp cook, to chairman of Dow's board of directors. A 69 - year association with the company ended March 4, 1969, when at the age of 89, he resigned as a member of the board but
remained as honorary chairman for life.
In a statement, Carl E. Gerstacker, current chairman of Dow's board, said "Earl Bennett lived a full and enormously useful life." Gerstacker recalled the testimonial dinner in Midland Jan. 18, 1960, on the occasion of Dr. Bennett's 80th birthday and his 60th year with Dow. "Today, we remember that tribute to a man who began in a modest position with a struggling young enterprise and, who
through courage, foresight and unending devotion, helped it and himself rise until it became one of the nation's major industrial organizations. We have had the good fortune of having had the friendship and association of a most uncommon man."
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joseph I. Mortensen officiating. Burial will be in Midland cemetery.
Friends may call at the Ware-Smith Funeral Home from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The family will be present between 3 and 6 p.m. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
It was in the spring of 1900 that he became an employee of Dow, then only three years old after its incorporation in 1897. As a office boy, he was one of 33 employees. His starting salary was an "attractive" $6.93 per week. A short time later he became the company's official book-keeper. In 1902, he was appointed company auditor, became assistant secretary and assistant treasurer in 1927, a director in 1927, a vice president in 1931, company treasurer in 1934, and elected board chairman, a post held by Dr. Willard H. Dow, son of the company's founder Dr. Herbert H. Dow, when he was killed in an airplane crash that year near London, Ont., and honorary chairman in 1960.
He was born Jan. 18, 1880, in White Cloud, Mich. His father was a lumber camp supply superintendant, thus he grew up-in and around Michigan's lumbering operations. He received his early education in Midland and was graduated from high school in Grand Rapids after which he followed his parents to North Carolina.
In 1905, he married a Midland girl, the former Eva Barclay, and they became the parents of eight children. Dr. Bennett was a life member of Centre Lodge No. 273, a 33rd degree Mason, a member of the Bay City Scottish Rite and the Ef Khurafeh Shrine of Saginaw. At the time of his death, he also was a member of the board of the Chemical Bank and Trust Company. He was one of the original incorporators of its predecessor, the Chemical State Savings Bank, a stockholder and an original director when the bank was opened March 14, 1917. He also served ast its first vice president at that time.
From April 13, 1949, until Feb. 7, 1969, he served on the board of Dow Corning Corporation. He also was a member of Midland Rotary Club, Midland Country Club and First Baptist Church. His survivors include his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Alden B. Dow and Mrs. Alden W. Hanson, both of Midland, Mrs. Charles F. Reed of Houston, Tex.; and Mrs. B. M. Bobbitt of Miami, Fla.; four sons, Robert B. Bennett of Midland, W. V. Bennett of Miami, David S. Bennett of Port Orange, Fla., and Thomas J. Bennett of Miami; 19 grandchildren and 23 great - grandchildren.
Midland Daily News dated 9-20-1973 Page - 1.
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DR. EARL W. BENNETT, DOW PIONEER, DIES AT 93
The man who became know as "the financial wizard" of Dow Chemical Company died this morning. Dr. Earl W. Bennett's life ended at 6:05 a.m. today at his home, 714 West Main, at the age of 93. He had been in failing health for some time.
His career during his lifetime ranged from a lumber camp cook, to chairman of Dow's board of directors. A 69 - year association with the company ended March 4, 1969, when at the age of 89, he resigned as a member of the board but
remained as honorary chairman for life.
In a statement, Carl E. Gerstacker, current chairman of Dow's board, said "Earl Bennett lived a full and enormously useful life." Gerstacker recalled the testimonial dinner in Midland Jan. 18, 1960, on the occasion of Dr. Bennett's 80th birthday and his 60th year with Dow. "Today, we remember that tribute to a man who began in a modest position with a struggling young enterprise and, who
through courage, foresight and unending devotion, helped it and himself rise until it became one of the nation's major industrial organizations. We have had the good fortune of having had the friendship and association of a most uncommon man."
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joseph I. Mortensen officiating. Burial will be in Midland cemetery.
Friends may call at the Ware-Smith Funeral Home from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The family will be present between 3 and 6 p.m. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
It was in the spring of 1900 that he became an employee of Dow, then only three years old after its incorporation in 1897. As a office boy, he was one of 33 employees. His starting salary was an "attractive" $6.93 per week. A short time later he became the company's official book-keeper. In 1902, he was appointed company auditor, became assistant secretary and assistant treasurer in 1927, a director in 1927, a vice president in 1931, company treasurer in 1934, and elected board chairman, a post held by Dr. Willard H. Dow, son of the company's founder Dr. Herbert H. Dow, when he was killed in an airplane crash that year near London, Ont., and honorary chairman in 1960.
He was born Jan. 18, 1880, in White Cloud, Mich. His father was a lumber camp supply superintendant, thus he grew up-in and around Michigan's lumbering operations. He received his early education in Midland and was graduated from high school in Grand Rapids after which he followed his parents to North Carolina.
In 1905, he married a Midland girl, the former Eva Barclay, and they became the parents of eight children. Dr. Bennett was a life member of Centre Lodge No. 273, a 33rd degree Mason, a member of the Bay City Scottish Rite and the Ef Khurafeh Shrine of Saginaw. At the time of his death, he also was a member of the board of the Chemical Bank and Trust Company. He was one of the original incorporators of its predecessor, the Chemical State Savings Bank, a stockholder and an original director when the bank was opened March 14, 1917. He also served ast its first vice president at that time.
From April 13, 1949, until Feb. 7, 1969, he served on the board of Dow Corning Corporation. He also was a member of Midland Rotary Club, Midland Country Club and First Baptist Church. His survivors include his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Alden B. Dow and Mrs. Alden W. Hanson, both of Midland, Mrs. Charles F. Reed of Houston, Tex.; and Mrs. B. M. Bobbitt of Miami, Fla.; four sons, Robert B. Bennett of Midland, W. V. Bennett of Miami, David S. Bennett of Port Orange, Fla., and Thomas J. Bennett of Miami; 19 grandchildren and 23 great - grandchildren.
Midland Daily News dated 9-20-1973 Page - 1.
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The man who became know as "the financial wizard" of Dow Chemical Company died this morning. Dr. Earl W. Bennett's life ended at 6:05 a.m. today at his home, 714 West Main, at the age of 93. He had been in failing health for some time.
His career during his lifetime ranged from a lumber camp cook, to chairman of Dow's board of directors. A 69 - year association with the company ended March 4, 1969, when at the age of 89, he resigned as a member of the board but
remained as honorary chairman for life.
In a statement, Carl E. Gerstacker, current chairman of Dow's board, said "Earl Bennett lived a full and enormously useful life." Gerstacker recalled the testimonial dinner in Midland Jan. 18, 1960, on the occasion of Dr. Bennett's 80th birthday and his 60th year with Dow. "Today, we remember that tribute to a man who began in a modest position with a struggling young enterprise and, who
through courage, foresight and unending devotion, helped it and himself rise until it became one of the nation's major industrial organizations. We have had the good fortune of having had the friendship and association of a most uncommon man."
Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joseph I. Mortensen officiating. Burial will be in Midland cemetery.
Friends may call at the Ware-Smith Funeral Home from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The family will be present between 3 and 6 p.m. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
It was in the spring of 1900 that he became an employee of Dow, then only three years old after its incorporation in 1897. As a office boy, he was one of 33 employees. His starting salary was an "attractive" $6.93 per week. A short time later he became the company's official book-keeper. In 1902, he was appointed company auditor, became assistant secretary and assistant treasurer in 1927, a director in 1927, a vice president in 1931, company treasurer in 1934, and elected board chairman, a post held by Dr. Willard H. Dow, son of the company's founder Dr. Herbert H. Dow, when he was killed in an airplane crash that year near London, Ont., and honorary chairman in 1960.
He was born Jan. 18, 1880, in White Cloud, Mich. His father was a lumber camp supply superintendant, thus he grew up-in and around Michigan's lumbering operations. He received his early education in Midland and was graduated from high school in Grand Rapids after which he followed his parents to North Carolina.
In 1905, he married a Midland girl, the former Eva Barclay, and they became the parents of eight children. Dr. Bennett was a life member of Centre Lodge No. 273, a 33rd degree Mason, a member of the Bay City Scottish Rite and the Ef Khurafeh Shrine of Saginaw. At the time of his death, he also was a member of the board of the Chemical Bank and Trust Company. He was one of the original incorporators of its predecessor, the Chemical State Savings Bank, a stockholder and an original director when the bank was opened March 14, 1917. He also served ast its first vice president at that time.
From April 13, 1949, until Feb. 7, 1969, he served on the board of Dow Corning Corporation. He also was a member of Midland Rotary Club, Midland Country Club and First Baptist Church. His survivors include his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Alden B. Dow and Mrs. Alden W. Hanson, both of Midland, Mrs. Charles F. Reed of Houston, Tex.; and Mrs. B. M. Bobbitt of Miami, Fla.; four sons, Robert B. Bennett of Midland, W. V. Bennett of Miami, David S. Bennett of Port Orange, Fla., and Thomas J. Bennett of Miami; 19 grandchildren and 23 great - grandchildren.
Midland Daily News dated 9-20-1973 Page - 1.
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