Biography of Benjamin Magness, Independence Co, AR

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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. 
Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
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page 694 

Benjamin Magness is one of the influential men and enterprising
farmers of White River Township, Independence County. His birth occurred in
Rutherford County, N. C., January 27, 1821, and he is a son of Jacob and Eda
(Webb) Magness, who were also natives of Rutherford County, N. C. Of their
family of eleven children, five grew to maturity, and but two are now living,
our subject and a sister, Mrs. Sallie Chetwood, of North Carolina. Benjamin
Magness was an extensive and successful farmer in his native State, where he
spent the whole of his life, his death occurring at the age of seventy-seven
years; his wife died when sixty-three years old. Both were consistent members
of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which church he served as deacon for over
forty years. The paternal grandfather of our subject was also named Benjamin
Magness; he was a native of North Carolina, and served in the Revolutionary
War. Mrs. Magness was a daughter of Robin Webb, also of North Carolina.
Benjamin Magness, subject of this sketch, received his education in his native
county, and remained on his father's farm until 1840. In the latter year he
married Charlotte McBrayer, [p.694] daughter of Samuel McBrayer, of Cleveland
County, N. C. Mrs. Magness only lived a short year after her marriage. Mr.
Magness next married Adaline Sweega, who was a native of Rutherford County, N.
C. Her father was Elijah Sweega. To this union were born seven children, five
sons and two daughters, viz.: Robert L., a farmer of Independence County, Ark.;
Alonzo, also a farmer; Almina, wife of John McFarland, of North Carolina;
George O., merchant at Newark, Ark.; Elijah, engaged in farming in Independence
County; Susan, who died in North Carolina, and Jacob, engaged in merchandising
in Independence County. Mrs. Magness died in 1865, at the age of thirty-two
years. Mr. Magness subsequently married Barbara Ann Rice, who was born November
24, 1843. The following children have blessed this union: Martha A., wife of
Frank Martin, of Newark; John M., a farmer; William W., also a farmer; Ella
(deceased), Amanda W., Julia, Benjamin A., Hugh T. E. D., Gertie A. P., Bonnie
B. and Leona. After his first marriage, Mr. Magness worked a farm of 365 acres,
which his father gave him in Rutherford County. In 1858 he removed to Arkansas,
locating in Independence County, where his first purchase consisted of 330
acres; he now owns 1,000 acres of good farm land, and is one of the most
extensive farmers in the county. For forty-eight years he has been a member of
the Missionary Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and though taking no active part in politics, his sympathies are with the
Democratic party. He supports liberally the cause of education, and is ever
ready to assist in the advancement of its interests. Mr. Magness is one of the
most substantial men of Independence County, and is highly respected by all who
know him.