Few, if any, business establishments of Monterey county have rendered a greater service to the community in which they have operated than that of Bentley & Son, so ably represented by the senior partner, Joseph E. Bentley, of Seaside. A native of the metropolis, New York city, he was born on the 4th of January, in the centennial year of the Republic, and his parents were Michael O. and Jennie A. (Osborne) Bentley. The mother’s ancestors landed at Plymouth Rock, and one of her forbears bought and fitted out the Mayflower. The father was a physician. He retired early enough to come to Seaside and live for some years prior to his demise.
Joseph E. Bentley pursued a high school course and advanced preparatory studies, but on the death of his mother he had to abandon academic plans. He then went to work for a leading clothing firm in New York, and later conducted a large tobacco store. Although his career in the east was not notable, he profited from his metropolitan experience, and on coming to California in 1903 he opened one of the finest men’s clothing stores in Oakland, at the corner of Twelfth street and Broadway. Selling out two years later, he removed to Seaside to take charge of the brick plant that was established here, but at the end of six years it was removed to Sacramento, and there Mr. Bentley was in charge for a year. Then he returned to Seaside and opened the feed and fuel business, in which he has been engaged. Being an advocate of sound business methods, he has been a vigorous supporter of the republican party platforms, and as a trustee of both grammar and high schools, he has done what he could to advance the cause of popular education.
Mr. Bentley married Miss Bessie M. Remington, and they have two children: Charles M., who was in the training school during the World war and is now with his father in business, and Jennie E., a student at the University of California. Mr. Bentley is a master Mason, and he finds his sport in playing golf or hunting and fishing.
Source: History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California : cradle of California’s history and romance : dating from the planting of the cross of Christendom upon the shores of Monterey Bay by Fr. Junipero Serra, and those intrepid adventurers who accompanied him, down to the present day. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1925.