One of the best-known founders of Lincoln University may be William Logan Bennett.
He was a fixture of a half-century of annual Founders Day activities, sitting on stage in full uniform.
For several years in the 1970s, the Lincoln Army ROTC observed Founders' Day ceremonies at his grave in the Jefferson City National Cemetery, where he was once caretaker, and inducted him into the Lincoln University Army ROTC Hall of Fame.
Bennett, who served with the 67th U.S. Colored Troops, is one of eight U.S. Colored Troops buried at the Jefferson City National Cemetery.
Lincoln's origin began with soldiers from the 62nd U.S. Colored Troops, originally the 1st Missouri Volunteer Infantry of African Descent, who received exceptional instruction in reading and writing from their white officers during their military service in Louisiana and Texas.
In January 1866 at Fort McIntosh, Texas, 62nd soldiers took up a collection to support the establishment of a school in Missouri, open to anyone, but particularly focused on the Black population. Before January 1865, when enslaved people were emancipated in Missouri, it had been illegal for nearly 20 years for anyone to teach literacy to a free or enslaved African-American.
The 62nd invited the 65th regiment, still serving in Louisiana, to join them in support of this school for the betterment of their friends and family. Six months earlier, the remaining 67th USCT soldiers were consolidated with the 65th.
Bennett's "check in 1866 was the first that was given to an agent who visited his camp, for the building of Lincoln Institute," a newspaper said. He "still retains the cancelled check ... one of his treasured mementoes."
Bennett was born Sept. 15, 1842, in Callaway County, the son of Dennis Cardell. His mother was enslaved by Mr. Ramsey at his birth. Mary Bennett, of Holt's Summit, bought young Bennett when he was about 5, but she could not afford to buy his mother. Mary's sister, Linda, bought Logan Bennett's mother, so they would be close.
He was a house servant and guardian for Genevieve "Jennie" Bennett, who later married Congressman Champ Clark.
Logan Bennett worked on a farm owned by Stokely Waggoner, then the 600-acre farm of Joel Bennett at Grand Prairie and finally on land owned by Jack Lyon.
He enlisted Feb. 21, 1864, in Jefferson City, at Lindell Hall, which had been a seminary for girls, located at the north end of Jackson Street. He mustered into the 3rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry of African Descent, which became the 67th USCT.
By March 1864, Bennett's regiment was assigned to Louisiana, serving in Port Hudson, Morganza and Baton Rouge. The regiment saw action at Mount Pleasant Landing on May 15, 1864, and in September 1864 at Bayou Sara.
After mustering out in January 1867, Bennett became a brick mason in Jefferson City, helping build the first two Presbyterian churches, as well as the 1889 post office.
In his later years, Bennett worked on the Lincoln farm and taught carpentry to the male students. He also kept a truck garden on East Dunklin Street.
He married Josephine Jones, who was "an entertaining conversationalist, full to the brim with pride in 'Papa,'" the Lincoln Clarion reported. She was born in 1851 to cabinet-maker Harry and Ursulia Jones, who were enslaved by Sawney Griffin in Callaway County.
The Jones family moved to Jefferson City before the war, allowing Josephine to attend the first school for African- Americans, taught by Lydia Montague, with the American Missionary Association. Orphaned at 15, Josephine inherited the family home at 514 Monroe St., where she and Bennett lived until 1927 when they moved to the 300 block of East Dunklin Street.
The Bennetts had six children, including two daughters who graduated from Lincoln. They had a custom of entertaining Lincoln faculty with a roasted pig and stuffed turkey dinner and winning the decorating contests at the holidays.
When the first Missouri River bridge opened in May 1896, Bennett was an aid to Lincoln President Inman E. Page, who was the grand marshal of the parade's fourth division.
That same month, Bennett was among 25 delegates from Jefferson City to the "Colored Republican League of Missouri" convention held in Jefferson City.
During World War I, Bennett served on the Jefferson City United War Work Fund committee.
In March 1931, Bennett at age 89 was the highlight of the cornerstone-laying program for College Hall, today known as Young Hall, on the Lincoln campus, Lincoln President Nathan Young said.
At his death Oct 15, 1933, Bennett was the oldest ordained deacon of Second Baptist Church.
The following Founders' Day at Lincoln, his daughter, Rosetta, presented the university with Civil War muskets. Then, in 1938, a new dorm for junior and senior women was dedicated as Logan Bennett Hall.
Michelle Brooks is a former reporter with the Jefferson City News Tribune. She enjoys researching the 62nd and 65th U.S. Colored Troops and telling the origin story of Lincoln University.
