BENTLEY, Lewellyn E., Essex County, VA., then Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged
in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 594-595.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914,
by Century Historical Association.

Bentley, Llewellyn Elridge, a farmer and well-known citizen of Bastrop, was born Jan. 18, 1857,
in Essex county, Va., his parents being John Grovett and Sarah (Parker) Bentley, both natives of
Virginia, who followed the vocation of farming.  Llewellyn and an older brother, Robert, a
teacher in the high school in Saluda Va., are the only surviving members of a family of 13
children, four of whom died in youth, and seven later in years. These seven were:  John Baynham, 
Elizabeth,  Mary Susan, married Luther R. Holland;  Nannie,  Wilbert Otis,  Mattie Ella and 
Oscar Vernon.  L. E. Bentley spent the first 25 years of his life in his native state.  His primary
education was obtained at a private school, and later he attended Richmond college.  While at the
latter he studied English under the celebrated Dr. J. L. M. Curry, who afterward became president
of the Peabody fund.  Mr. Bentley also came in close touch with two other noted professors of
that institution, viz., Prof. H. H. Harris and Dr. Charles Ryland, with both of whom Mr. Bentley
boarded.  In 1882 he came to Bastrop, La., and engaged in public school work, which he
continued until 1886, when he married Miss Bettie, daughter of Judge James Busse, of Bastrop. 
In 1887 Mr. Bentley went to farming, and has continued that to the present time.  He also had
charge of a wagon and blacksmith shop from 1892 to 1897. In 1900 he was elected cashier of the
Bastrop State bank, and held this position until Jan., 1907.  In 1903 his wife died, and in 1908 he
married Maude Taylor, daughter of Dr. F. T. Taylor of Bastrop.  By his second wife he is the
father of 1 child, Llewellyn E., Jr.  Mr. Bentley is a member and clerk of the Baptist church.