Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-04-21
THOMAS II. BENTON.

Hillsborough Orange county, \ orth Carolina.
He was sent TO college at Chapel Hill, but
left it before completing the regular course,
and commenced the study of the law at W IL
liam and Mary College, under St. George
Tucker. His father having died when he was
only eight years old, his mother removed to
Tennessee, where he began to practice his
profession. 1t was there that he first became
| acquainted with Andrew Jackson. who was
then Judge of the Supreme Court and after
wards Major General OF the Militia. He was
appointed of Jackson's aides-de camp,
and when the war with England began, he
raised regiment of volunteers of which he
was chosen Colonel. In 1913, the volunteers
having been disbanded President Madison
appointed him a Lieutenant Colonel, but be-
fore he had any service, peace was proc laimed
and he resigned his commission.
Ia 1915 he removed to St. Louis, where he
combined with the practice of his profession
the conduct of newspaper, called the Missouri
Argus. Those were stormy times for Western
editors, and he had to engage in several duels,
in one OF which he killed his antagonist. When
Missouri was admitted to the Union, in 1921
he one of her first Senators, having been
elected by the Legislature, which had met in
1920, previous to the admission. For six sue
ceSSlve times he elected to the same post
retiring finally from it in 1881. He supported
the administrations Of Presidents Jackson and
Van Buren with great energy; especially suS
States Bank, and afterwards vindicating him
by obtaining the passage of the resolution ex-
punging the resolution condemniHg the reno
val of the deposits.
AS the apostle of hard money currency
Mr.. Benton became an idol among a large por-
tion OF the most radical of the Democratic
party. Afterwards, when he chose TO enter
tain opinions on certain questions differing
from those of the party leaders, and when 9TH
er aspiring Missouri politicians had grown
weary of his monopoliZing the seat in the
Senate, he came into disflvor, and this caused
| his defeat in the Senatorial election in 1851.
But during all that period of thirty years, Mr..
Benton was of the most conspicuous ac-
tors in the numerous exciting political scenes
that successfully arose.
After leaving the Senate, ,afr. Benton return
ed to St. Louis. and in 1852 he was nominated
for seat in the nationa! House of Representa-
tives, and was elected. He at first supported
the administration of President Pierce, but
that having become welded to an extreme
system that he could not approve, he aban-
doned 1t. The consequence was. that the ad-
ministration made upon him and his
friends in Missouri, and when he again for
Congress, in 1854, he was defeated.
In 1859, be ran for Governor, in opposition
to the regular Democratic candidate, third
candidate (American) being in the field.
The consequence was that he was defeated,
date, was elected.
After 1856, Col. Benton devoted himself to
the completion of his Thirty Years. View''-
a narrative of the political events that occur
red during his Senatorial career. 1t is color
ed, in many places, by his political and per-
sonal prejudices but is, nevertheless, most
valuable contribution to our political history.
Since that was finished, he has been engaged
on an abridgment of the Debates in Congress,
which occupied him to the last. An incurab!c
| disease, cancer Of the bowelS,) has for some
/ time preyed upon him, and though he labored
| and dictated for the work, with marvellous en-
| ergy, in the midst OF agonizing suffering, death
| overclme HIM before his task done.
Col. Benton married, subsequent 10 his
first election as Senator, TO Elizabeth, daugh-
| ter of Col. James M'DOwell, of RocShridge
county, Va. His surviving children are four
daughters-Mrs- William Carey Jones, Mrs.
John C. Fremont, Mrs. Sarah Benton Jacob,
and Madame Susan Benton Boleau, now at
| Calcutta, wife of the French Consul General.
Mrs. Benton died in 1854, having been struck
with paralysis in 1914. He was devoted
husband and father, and since his wife's de-
cease has avoided all gayety and public amuse-
ments. His political life is part of the ma
! tional History. He was a laborious Jealous
and able member of the Senate, and skilful,
! impressive and dignified orator. There are
! few public men living who enjoy to greater
degree than he did, the confidence and re-
! spect of the unprejudiced of all parties.