Frances Reed Bennett is believed to be the first graduate of Oberlin High School based on the article referenced below which says, "Letters were read from Mrs. Frances Reed Bennett, Bradgate, Iowa, the first graduate, from G. W. Waite, and others."  From the federal census records of 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1920, and 1930, we learned the following:

• Frances J. Reed was born 13 April 1844 in Oberlin, Ohio, the daughter of Herschel and Eliza Reed.  She died 1 May 1927 at her home in Humboldt, Iowa.
  
• Frances' father, Deacon Herschel Reed, "was one of the first students of Oberlin College, having been induced to come here from Essex county, New York, by Father Shipperd in 1834, when he was 21 years of age," according to his obituary in The Oberlin Weekly News of 29 April 1881, p. 3.  However, his health failed him and he did not complete his studies to become a missionary as he had planned.  He settled in Oberlin and worked as a carpenter and joiner.  He was one of the founding members of the First Congregational Church in 1834 where he served as a deacon.  Herschel Reed died in Oberlin on 21 April 1881.
• Frances' mother, Eliza Harteton (Hitchcock) Reed, was born 3 Nov 1817 in Hawley, Mass., and came to Oberlin in 1840.  Like her husband she came to study at the college but ill health prevented her from completing her studies.  After teaching for two or three years in the Oberlin public schools, she married Herschel Reed in 1845.  Mrs. Reed died at 25 College Place on 1 Oct 1898; her obituary appeared in The Oberlin News of 4 Oct 1898, p. 3.
• The Reeds lived in Russia Township (as opposed to Oberlin Village).
• Frances had a younger brother, Albert (b. about 1845 in Ohio), and a younger sister, Amelia Naomi (b. about 1848 in Ohio).  Amelia graduated with the OHS class of 1865 and eventually lived with her sister in Iowa (please see her obituary).
  
• On 28 April 1870 Frances married Edwin Bennett (b. about Aug. 1845 in Conn.).
• In the 1870 and 1880 censuses Edwin & Frances Bennett were living in Deer Park, LaSalle Co., Ill., where Edwin was a farmer.  The 1900 census has them living in Avery Twp., Humboldt Co., Ia., where Bradgate is located.  The 1920 census has them in Humboldt Town, Springvale Twp., Humboldt Co.
  
• According to records in the Oberlin College Archives, Frances Reed Bennett lived in Farm Ridge, Ill., Albia, Ia., Siscomb, Ia., Lehigh, Ia., Bradgate, Ia., and Humboldt, Ia.  She taught school in Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa.
  
• The children of Edwin and Frances from the census records and her obituary were:
• Hattie May, b. about 1871, died in infancy
• Eugene H., b. about June 1872 in Ill., of Humboldt, Ia., in May 1927
  
• Charles A., b. about June 1876 in Ill., of Grandin, N.D., in May 1927
  
• Alonzo, b. about 1877 in Ill., apprently died young
  
• Lyle E., b. about Nov. 1878 in Ill., of Folsom, S.D., in May 1927
  
• Clyde P., b. about Aug 1879 in Ill., of Humboldt, Ia., in May 1927
• Miles Clay b. about July 1882 in Ill., of Sioux City, Ia., in May 1927
  
• Ethel R., b. about Aug 1884 in Ia., of Humboldt, Ia., in May 1927
• Frances' obituary says she had seven children, and mentions all of the above except Alonzo.  Charles and Alonzo both appear in the 1880 census, aged 5 and 2 years respectively, so they must be different persons.  Perhaps Alonzo was a nephew or other relative, or perhaps the obituary was in error.  We do not find Alonzo in the 1900 census.
  
• From the birth places of their children, it appears they moved from Illinois to Iowa sometime from 1882 to 1884.