Covington County AlArchives Biographies.....Benton, S. E. 1841 - living in 1893
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 17, 2004, 4:52 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
    MAJOR S. E. BENTON, merchant and farmer, of River Falls, was born in
Eufaula, Ala., in 1841. He is a son of Isaac and Settie (Segars) Benton, the
former born in South Carolina in 1818, the latter in Georgia in 1820. They came
with their respective parents to Barbour county, Alabama, about 1822. They
married there and still live there, Mr. Benton having followed farming all his
life. Mr. Benton served in the home guards a short time during the late war. He
was very conservative in his views. Both Mr. and Mrs. Benton have been members
of the Missionary Baptist church many years. His father, Samuel Benton, was a
native of South Carolina but became an early settler in Barbour county, Ala.,
where he died before the major's recollection. He was of Irish extraction and
reared a large family. Ira Segars, the maternal grandfather of the major, was a
Georgian by birth and an early settler in Barbour county, Ala., where both he
and wife died. He was a prosperous farmer and raised a family of five sons and
several daughters. All of the sons served in the late war. Major S. E. Benton
was the eldest of seven sons and four daughters, the major and one brother
serving in the late war. James M. was in the Fifty-seventh Alabama infantry, was
wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, and is since deceased. Major Benton, in
July, 1861, joined company E, Seventh Alabama infantry, for one year, and was at
Pensacola until the winter of 1861 and 1862. He then went to Kentucky, and then
to Corinth, where the regiment disbanded at the expiration of its term of
service. He returned home and re-enlisted, this time in company D, Fiftieth
Alabama infantry, went to the army in Virginia and fought in the battle of the
Wilderness and on to Petersburg and Richmond, and finally surrendered with Lee.
He was captured at Petersburg, but on the second day made his escape and
rejoined his command. He was acting sergeant-major from that time on, having
previously served in the ranks. At the close of the war he returned home and
engaged in farming and merchandising. In 1867 he was married to Martha, daughter
of Trust and Mary Thomas, natives of Conecuh county, Alabama. Mrs. Benton was
born in Barbour county, and is the mother of four children, viz.: Harmon;
Minnie, wife of Dr. W. A. McNair; Hattie, died when a child; and Stella. They
are all well educated. Mr. Benton lived in Barbour county farming and
merchandising until 1891, when he removed to River Falls, where he has since
resided. He owns 1,500 acres of land beside town property, all of which he has
acquired by his own efforts. Upon his coming to River Falls he established a
store, the first in River Falls. He was also instrumental in having a postoffice
established. He was formerly active in politics, but he is now retired from
active participation in battles in this field, although he yet liberally
supports his party. He is a very prominent and highly esteemed citizen.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 747-748



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