Biography of Benjamin S Thomason, FultonCo, AR

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Submitted by: Michael Brown <michael@grnco.net>
        Date: 26 Sep 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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page 303

Dr. Benjamin S. Thomason, of Fulton County, Ark., first saw the light
of day April 1, 1841, in Dickson County, Tenn., and is one of eleven children
born to John and Nancy (Swift) Thomason, natives of South Carolina and
Tennessee, respectively. John Thomason was born in 1807 and came to Tennessee
when yet a boy. In that State Mrs. Thomason was born in 1819. They were the
parents of these children: James W., who died in prison at Chicago in 1862;
Elijah, who died in 1877; B. S., Hannah, wife of James W. Swindle and died June
5, 1881; John lives in Greene County, Ark.; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Woods, and
resides in Greene County; Nancy lives in Greene County: Richard lives in the
same county: Jemimah, wife of Bud Newsom, of Greene County, Ark., and Victoria,
wife of John McMillan, of Greene County. John Thomason entered the service of
the Confederate army in 1862 under Col. Knapper, and was in a number of
battles. He was captured, sent to prison in Chicago, and there died in 1863. He
followed trading as his occupation in life, and made a specialty of negroes and
land. His farm was cultivated by negroes and whites. He always voted the
Democratic ticket. Benjamin S. Thomason left the parental roof in 1859 and
journeyed to Kentucky, where he remained for some time. He then returned to
Tennessee, and made his home with his uncle for a number of years, and in the
meantime attended school. He also clerked in a store until the breaking out of
the late unpleasantness between the North and South, when he enlisted in the
Eleventh Tennessee Infantry, Company C, William Green, captain, and commanded
by James E. Rains. Mr. Thomason served from May 9, 1861, until the close of the
war and participated in the most prominent battles. He was in the following
engagements besides numerous minor ones: Barbersville, London Wild Cat, Fishing
Creek, Goose Creek. Richmond, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville,
Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. His brother,
Elijah, was in forty-three pitched battles, but was never seriously wounded.
Benjamin S. Thomason was wounded at Murfreesboro in the left wrist and this
disabled him from service for some time. He was taken prisoner at Thompson's
Station, Tenn., and remained a prisoner at Fort Delaware for some time. When
exchanged he was in a very sorry condition. He surrendered at Memphis, Tenn.,
April 26, 1865. He was first married November 20, 1875, to Miss Ellen Canuoy,
of New Madrid County, Mo., and by her became the father of six children, only
two now living: Hettie M. T., born January 19, 1880, and Benjamin W., born
December 7, 1882, Mrs. Thomason died July 6, 1886, and Mr. Thomason then
married Miss Mary F. Roby, of Fulton County, Ark., November 4, 1886. One child
was born to this union, [p.303] Josie M., whose birth occurred July 21, 1887.
Mr. Thomason is the owner of 210 acres of land, and is a very enterprising
farmer. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Thomason is a
member of the A. F. & A. M., and in his political views affiliates with the
Democratic party.