Benton, Thomas

HART, an American author and statesman, B. in Orange co., N. Carolina, in 1782. He first engaged in the study of the law, and, in 1811, commenced practice in Nashville, Tenn. He afterwards removed to Mi ouri, where, in 1820, he was elected one of her first U. States senators. For a period of 30 years he took a leading part in the discu ion of the great questions which came before the Senate, and was especially prominent in the debates on the U. States Bank, and the sub-treasury, which latter cause he warmly supported. His timorous opinions on the slavery question, and his general political independence of thinking, lost him his election in 1851. In 1854, he was again deteated. In 1853, B. published the 1st vol. of his autobiographical work, Thirty Years' View; or a History of the Work ing of the American Government for Thirty Years. While the 2d vol. was in progre , B's house at Washington was destroyed by fire, by which calamity his library and manuscripts perished. In 1850, B. was returned by Mi ouri to the House of Representatives. He there distinguished himself by his speeches in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, as a violation of the Mi ouri compromise, and his services were appreciated by the country, but he was again thrown out in the next election of members for Congre . His vigorous canva of the State, as Democratic candidate for the governorship, in 1856, will be long remembered. He was, however, defeated, and supported Mr. Buchanan for President in opposition to Col. Fremont, his own son-inlaw. His advocacy of the Pacific Railroad and other undertakings connects his name with scientific progre . He D. at Washington, April 10, 1858. Ben'ton, in Alabama, the former name of the co. CAL HOUN, q. v. -A post-village of Lowndes co., on the Alabama River, about 35 m. W. of Montgomery. Ben'ton, in Arkansas, a post-village, capital of Saline co., 25 m. S.W. of Little Rock, and 2 N.E. of Saline River. Ben'ton, in California , a P. O. of Mono co. Ben'ton, in Florida , a former name of a W. county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico. Its area was about 2,000 sq. m. The Withlacoochee river watered it on the N. Surface , diversified. Soil , sandy, producing sugar, Indian corn, and rice. It is now subdivided. Ben'ton, in Illinois , a village of Adams co. -A post-village, and cap. of Franklin co., situated on a prairie near Big Muddy River, 152 m. S. by E. of Springfield. -A village in the N. part of Henderson co., 2 m. E. of the Mi i ippi River. It is -A township of Lake co. Ben'ton, in Indiana , a county in the W.N.W. part of the State, bordering on Illinois; area, 414 sq. m. drained by Pine and Sugar creeks. Surface , generally undulating; soil , fertile. Pop . 12,000; cap . Fowler. -A post-village and township of Elkhart co., on the Elkhart River, 7 m. S.E. of Goshen, the co. seat. -A township of Monroe co. Ben'ton, in low a , a co. in the E. central part of the State. Area , 720 sq. m. It is traversed by Cedar and Iowa Rivers, and Prairie Creek. Soil , fertile. Cup . Vinton. в. 1579. Among other works, he wrote A History of Clark's River, about 270 m. W.S.W. of Frankfort. the Civil Wars of Flanders; Memoirs, . B. was one of the seven cardinals, who as Inquisitors-General signed the con deni nation of Galileo. He had been a disciple of the great philosopher. D. 1644. -A village of Mercer co., on Chaplin River. Ben'ton, (formerly SEBASTICOOK,) in Maine , a post-town- ship of Kennebec co., on the Sebasticook River, about 100 m. N.E. of Portland, Ben'ton, in Michigan , a township of Berrien co., near Lake Michigan. -A township of Eaton co. Bentley, RICHARD, D.D., an eminent English divine and philologist, B. 1662. He studied at Cambridge, took or- ders, and was appointed first Boyle lecturer at that uni--A versity. He early became distinguished for his cla ical learning, and, in 1693, was named librarian to William III. Soon afterwards broke out his quarrel with the philosopher Boyle, the main result of which was B.'s famous Di ertations on the Epistles of Phalaris. In 1700, he was appointed Master of Trinity College, Cam--A township of Carver co. bridge, and soon after, Archdeacon of Ely. Working hard as a scholar, and effecting improvements in his col- lege, he neverthele , by his arrogance, selfishne , and offensive measures, involved himself in miserable quar- rels and litigation with the college seniors; and after obtaining the Regius Profe orship of Divinity, he was degraded and deprived by the senate. This sentence, after years of litigation, was annulled. His writings are very numerous, but we can only name his editions of Horace, Homer, and Terence, and his Remarks on the Discourse of Freethinking. D. 1742. Bentley, ROBERT, F.L.S., an eminent English botanist, в. 1821. He is Dean of the Medical Faculty: Profe or 240 m. E.S.E. of Jefferson city. Yates co., on the W. shore of Seneca Lake, about 180 m. W. of Albany. Ben'ton, in Ohto, a village of Brown co., about 40 m. E. of Cincinnati. -A post-village of Hancock co., about 80 m. N.N.W. of Columbus. The post-office is called Benton Ridge. -A post-village of Holmes co., 92 m. N.E. of Columbus. -A township of Paulding co. -A township of Pike co. -A village of Portage co. Ben'ton, in Oregon , a co. in the W. part of the State. Area, about 1,370 sq. m. It is bounded on the E. by the Willamette river, and is watered by the Alsea and Yaquina rivers, and some smaller streams. Cap. Corvallis. Pop . (1898) 10,200. Ben'ton, in Pennsylvania, a post-township of Colum, bia co. -A township of Luzerne co. Ben'ton, in Tenne ee , a N.W. co., bounded E. by the Tenne ee and N.W. by the Big Sandy rivers. Area , abt. 400 sq. m. Soil, fertile. Cap . Camden. -A flourishing post-vill., cap. of Polk co., 4 m. S. of Hi a was see River, and 75 S.S.W. of Knoxville, Ben'ton, in Wisconsin , a post-village of Lafayette co., in Benton township, 13 m. N. of Galena, III., and 85 S.W. of Madison, Ben'ton Centre, in New York, a post-village of Benton township, Yates co., 180 m. W. of Albany. Ben'ton Harbor, in Michigan , a thriving town of Berrien co., on Lake Michigan. Pop . in 1890, 5,314; 1897, about 7,000. Ben'ton's Ferry, in Louisiana, a post-office of Livings ton par. Ben'ton's Ferry, in West Va., a P. O. of Marion co. Ben'ton's Port, in Iowa , a post-village of Van Buren co., on the Des Moines River, about 6 m. E. of Keosauqua. Ben'tonsville, in N. Carolina , a post-village of Johnson co., 17 m. W. of Golds borough. - A series of battles was fought here, 18th to 21st March, 1865, between the Union forces commanded by Gen. Sherman, and the Confederates under Gen. Johnston, in which, after severe fighting, the Nationals achieved a victory, after losing, in the aggregate, 1,643 men. The lo sustained by the Confederates is unknown, but was doubtle heavy; they losing in prisoners alone 1,625 men. Ben'tonville, in Arkansas, a post-village, cap. of Benton co., 225 m. N.W. of Little Rock. Ben'tonville, in Indiana , a post-village of Fayette co., 11 m. N.W. of Connersville, the co. town. Ben'tonville, in Ohio , a post-village of Adams co., 12 m. from the Ohio River, and 108 S.S.W. of Columbus; pop . 310. Ben'tonville, in Tenne ee. See BENTON. Ben'tonville, in Virginia , a post-office of Warren co. Bent's Fort, now BENT CAÑON, in Colorado , a post office of Las Animas co.