In 1873 his _alma
mater_ bestowed upon him the well-merited degree of Doctor of Laws. The
profession of the law, in which, by his industry, capacity, and
character, he has been so successful, was not adopted without mature
consideration. For some short time after graduation he taught a private
school in Virginia; but, probably finding, subsequently, that his
tastes, quite as much as his talents, might have fuller and fitter scope
for their gratification and development in legal than in academical
pursuits, he ultimately decided to enter upon a course of legal studies
with a view to preparing himself for the discharge of forensic and
judicial duties. His first practical knowledge of the law was acquired
in the office of his father at Burlington, Vt., his father being at the
time, and for many years previous, an Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court of Vermont. He became a member of the Vermont bar in 1847; but
early in 1848 he removed to Taunton, where he resided until 1884; and to
whose social, educational, and religious advancement he has contributed
in no small degree. In June, 1853, he married Sally, the second daughter
of Hon. Samuel Crocker, of Taunton.

When the city was incorporated, in 1865, his fellow-citizens showed
their high appreciation of his personal character and public spirit in a
very pronounced manner by unanimously electing him the first chief
magistrate of the newly incorporated community. To this honorable and
influential post he was twice elected subsequently, viz., in 1866 and
1867.

Judge Bennett has put much hard and honest work into his profession; in
this he is an example to younger men, which it would not be amiss for
them to imitate. His first law connection in Taunton was with the late
Nathaniel Morton, a brother of the present Chief-Justice of
Massachusetts. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Hon. Henry
Williams, and afterwards with Henry J. Fuller, Esq., of Taunton.

At the bar of his own county he took almost from the first a prominent
place, and he has been able to turn the accumulated and well-digested
results of his study and practice to good account in the instruction of
others. During the years of 1870, 1871, and 1872 he occupied the
position of lecturer at the Dane Law School of Harvard University,
Cambridge. With the Law School of Boston University he has stood
connected from its commencement in 1872, receiving at that time the
honor of being selected as its Dean. He w