Biography/History

Joseph Bennett (1822-1906) emigrated from Cornwall, England to Dodgeville, Wisconsin in 1845 or 1846. During his early years in Wisconsin he was a miner. In 1858 in association with James Perkins, Joseph George, and a Mr. Arthur he erected a smelting furnace. In succeeding years, the membership and the name of the firm changed several times.

1861	Mr. Arthur withdrew and was succeeded by James Roberts who retired in 1864.
1869	James Perkins retired. The firm of Bennett, George, and Company was consolidated with that of Hoskins, Cholvin, and Company and retained the name Bennett, George, and Company. Later Cholvin and George withdrew and the name became Bennett, Hoskins, and Company. Samuel Hoskins remained a partner until his death in 1889. His nephew, J.J. Hoskins, withdrew the family's interest a year or so later, and Joseph Bennett operated the business alone until his retirement in 1896.
1904	A new company, Dodgeville Smelting and Milling Company with J.B. Spence of Milwaukee as president and Joseph Bennett as secretary-treasurer was formed and took over the operation of the old Bennett and Hoskins smelter. This was in operation when Bennett died in 1906.