Almena
1869-1949
Information provided by Howard Van De Wege
Dr. Andrew Bennie was born November 6, 1858, the son of Scottish parents, Andrew and Mary Bennie, in Macomb, Illinois. The parents and seven children moved to Iowa in 1869. His early education was minimal, but he studied with Dr. Selby at Corning, Iowa before attending medical school in Iowa City, and then graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1885. He arrived in Long Island, Kansas, in 1885 with his wife, Isabelle Jane MacMillan. They stopped in Long Island because the railroad had only been built that far at the time.
Herbert and Harold, twin boys, were born in 1895. Dr. Bennie was very concerned about his patients and worked tirelessly. In 1898, due to overwork and failing health, he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, for a checkup and found he was on the verge of tuberculosis and was advised to rest. He and a friend fixed up some covered wagons and the families went to California in 1899. The twins were four years old.
They shot wild game along the way for food. Their trip took them through Yellowstone Park, and there, all their guns were confiscated (even Herbert’s B-B gun), so no animal would be destroyed in the park.
Dr. A. Bennie established a practice in Stockton and Santa Ana, California, during their stay there. He regained his health and moved his family back to Kansas in 1901, this time making Almena their home and established his medical practice. They bought a house on the corner of Mills and St. Clair Streets.
After the race track was abandoned (which ran along Van Horn St. south to the Burlington tracks on Mills St., east to Washington St. and north to Bryant St.), Dr. Bennie bought the lot on the corner of Washington and Benton Sts. and built their home. He lived here until his death on December 21, 1926, at the age of 68. Mrs. Bennie continued to live there until her death in December, 1949.
Dr. Bennie was a community man and was Mayor of Almena for 16 years. He showed affection for the community through the care he gave his patients and his interest in all affairs of the town. He helped make great strides toward civic improvement. Nine miles of cement sidewalks were built, municipal water and light plants were installed, and many trees were planted during his tenure as Mayor. Many of the huge cottonwood and maple trees in town were planted at that time.
“He was highly respected and was self-sacrificing for ideals in which he believed.” (as taken from an editorial tribute to Dr. Bennie by Charlie Rose, Almena Plaindealer, Jan. 6, 1927)