Notes

[NI001] The most disastrous fire in the history of Neosho broke out 1-13-1884, in the drug store of Powers and Benton, Several buildings were destroyed and all stock was lost. The fire was supposed to have originated from a match dropped by a clerk in the drug store among some straw or other material that was easily ignited. The insurance did not cover one-half the loss.
Neosho, Missouri, I00F Cemetery
BENTON, Dr. Alonzo W. 1854-1927
Fred J 1888-1962
John A. 1852-1927
M.E. 1847-1924
Nancy Annette June 11, 1821-Ap 8, 1886
Samuel A. Dec 14, 1863-Feb ll, 1894
Sarah W. 1866-1910
Wellesby Ainsworth died in 1965
Wellington Aug 23, 1825-Mar 21, 1887
Mrs. Wellington Sept 9, 1834-Oct 15, 1885
Davis, Mary Louise, Comp. Pioneers of The Six Bulls: The Nfewton County, Misouri SAGA: Volume XVIII: Index to A Reprint of Goodspeed's 1888 History of Newton Co., MO
The handwritten Benton history was passed down from generation to generation and written by Dr. Alonzo Wellington Benton. See photo area where the original has been scanned.

Alonzo completed medical school at Gellefue dHospital Medical College in New York, March 11, 1882.

[NI002] Racine Daily Journal, Wept. 19, 1892: Obituary: Moved to Racine with her parents at the age of three years where she lived until her marriage nine yrs. ago,since which time she has resided in Neosho, Missouri. She leaves her parents, husband, and one bdrother , and one son, six years old (Wellesby Ainsworth Benton). The funeral will take place from the family residence, 819 Marquette Street at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, Sseptember 20th, 1802.

[NI003] Newspaper clipping from a Neosho newspaper: Died. In thiss city on the 15th instant, Wellington, only child of Dr. A. W. and Elizabeth Benton, aged one year and five months. Dr. Benton and his wife have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends, in this hour of great grief. Their little son, their first and only child, bright and beautiful, why should he be taken to leave such gaping chasm in that little home. The ways of providence are inscrutable.

(Lizzie was her real name, not Elizabeth.)

The above clipping was found in the family Bible of Dr. Alonzo Wellington Benton, and dated May 19, 1882.

[NI004] Wellesby Ainsworth Benton, Sr. was a Railrway Express Agent in
Missouri. He opened his own office in Helena, Arkansas.Enjoyed traveling and participating in "Little Theater" plays in Helena.

He was also City Clerk in West Helena, Arkansas after retiring from the railroad.

Pappy, as he was called by his grandchildren, had straight, dark red hair.

Since his mother died when he was very young, he lived with his father, Alonzo. He told stories of how his father had to go out in the middle of the night in cold, snowy weather, because he was a doctor. He would wrap his son in many layers of clothing and blankets and take his along.

Newspaper article from The Helena World: Mr. Benton started his career in Neosho, Missouri, his hometown, with Wells Fargo in 1906. His horsssse'drawn wagon was the only means of transporting the parcels from the railroad station, and he remembers well the bitter cold of those days in Missouri as he delivered the shipments in his open conveyance.

[NI005] Wellington Benton was accidently shot and killed March 31, 1887, when returning from a hunting expedition with his son, Dr. Benton, and J. M. Purdy. He was sixty-three years old. McDonald and Newton County Sections of Goodspeed's Newton, Lawrence, Barry and McDonald Counties History. Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888. (Reprinted by McDonald County Historical Society, Missouri, April 1972.
Information on Wellington's family combined with handwritten information from A.W. Benton, from State Historical Society of Iowa, The Historical Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs: 400 E. Locust, Des Moines, Iowa. Date: 3-11-93, by Beiltyn, volunteer researcher: 1860 census.
1856 state census Canaan Twp, Cerro Gordo, Co, IA p 752: Wellington Benton Family.
1860 Federal census #313 Mason Twp, Cerro Gordo, Co, IA p 858: Wellington Besnton family.
Memories of Old Cerro Gordo: First Person and Contemporary Tales, 1850-1890, compiled by R Duane and Ruth M. Umgargter: see copies of preface and p's 179 and 273 for mentions of Wellington Benton.
Genealogical friendds of the Library, 507 W. Hickory, Neosho, MO 64850.
Ozarks Genealogical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 3494 Springfield, MO 65808.

[NI007] According to Combined History of Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Illinois: Re-Printed by Stevens Publishing Co. (In cooperation with the Schuyler County Historical Society, 1882, }, " In March, 1830, on petition of sundry inhabitants a new election precinet was formed. Schuyler county (now Brown), thence east to the Illinois river, thence up said river to the mouth of Crooked Creek," Alexander steel, and Asa Besnton were appointed the judges of election." Page 100. "Asa Benton was granted authority on the sixth of June, 1837, to establish a mill seaat on the southwest quarter of section four, township one south, range two west." Page 101. "The first saw-mill built in this neighborhood was one rected by Asa Benton, upon section four in 1829, Benton was a native of New York, and early removed to Missouri." Page 319: "Asa Bsenton also settled in this township in 1829, and built a saw ,o;; pm sectopm 4 om 1832. He was a native of New York, and has long since left the country, moving to Missouri."
Scanned copies of Land Sales: From Gopher Menu, Asa BENTON 4 pages, 04-24-97 12:54:45, Internet. Available: ...uicvml.cc.ulc.edu:8013/7%7Edb.LANDSALES/ix.NAME%20PREIF?benton and Gopher Menu: Available: gopher://UICVMI.CC.UIC.EDU:8013/0%7Edb.LANDSALES/rc.154295.
1840 Federal Census Microfilm Reel #70(4 or 1).55: Brown County, Illinois, p 29: 8. Benton, Asa Male, 1 female under 5, 1 male and l female 5-10 yrs. old, 1 female 10-15, 1 male 15 to 20, 1 female 30-40, l male 50-60. Asa is 53 years old, here.

[NI009] Married Leonard Parker.

[NI013] Georgia was a very beautiful lady, but as only about 4' ll'' tall. She was a liberated woman, which was strange for her time. She practiced physical therapy in Kilgore, Texas. She was separated from her husband for many years.

[NI014] Wellesby Ainsworth Benton, Jr., was born in Neosho, Missouri. He attended the University of Arkansas and graduated with a B.S. in chemistry. He was also graduated with a Masters' Degree in 1936.

Was a member of Theta Kappa Nu at the University of Arkansas.

[NI015] Dr. William Wellington Benton was a dentist, having finished in Memphis, Tennessee. He practiced in Forrest City, Arkansas.

Bill served in World War II and returned safely, only missing a toe from gunshot.

[NI016] According to documented family history by Alonzo W. Benton, John Henry Fred Mc Von HahuKuehn - difficult to see correct spelling.

[NI044] Information from Timothy D. Benton and family: The Cemeteries of Brown County, Illinois: 1825-1972. Published by The Brown County Board of the Schuyler Brown Historical and Genealogical Society. Illinois, 1975. Obituary from March 6, 1880 Brown County Democrt Newspaper, Mt. Sterling, Il.(Material scanned into program. See photo section.)
Rochefort, Beth, ed. Illinois State Genealogical Society: Prairie Pioneers of Illinois. Springfield: Illinis State Genealogical Society, 1988.
1880 Mortality Schedule - Brown County, Illinois: "Benton, Timothy, 45 M W Il Ct Me Post Master Apr. Pneumonia 45 yr."
Timothy D. Besnton married Catherine Ann Lewis Dec. 20, 1854 by John Cooper JP. From Brown Co. Illinois, Marriages 1839-1861.

[NI047] 1880 Brown County Democrat Newspaper, Mt. Sterling, Illinois: Catherine died eight years before him.

[NI059] At age 45 in the city directory of Racine, Wisconsin: William Laycock, male, machinist, Betsy, 38, born in Mass, Lizzie, 15, born in Mass. William was born in England. (Betsy born in England). One son: William, born in Wisconsin. (1870)
In 1880: #86=100 page 434, Marquette Street, Racine City Census - 5th Ward.

William moved to Racine in 1851 from Sagetown.


Racine Co. 4th Ward City Census: 1870, #275=292, pg. 424: Laycock, Jonathan, 44, laborer, born England with/ Thomas Brearley.

[NI060] In a picture in Lizzie's family alblum, there is a picture of: Col. Js Wolfenden and is stated: Brother of grandmother Laycock. The picture was taken in uniform, upon entering the Civil War. He lost one leg. There is another picture of Sadie Henson, niece of Betsy Laycock.
Also, pictue of Ethel and Sadie Henson.
Betsy died at age 90 in Racine, Wisconsin.

[NI062] More names from Wolfenden not placed: Rachael, Joseph, Alice Mary, Joshua, Eliza, Betty, Marie, Robert, May Alice, Warren, Lucy, James, Ellen, Yorkville Twp.

[NI065] #176=176 page 25 1860 Yorkville TPW. Csensus
Joseph and Betty are buried in the Union Grove Cesmetery, Block 4, Lot 163

[NI067] Bue eyes, red hair, light complexion.

[NI068] Wolfenden, Maria Mass.-12, W/Wm. Lacock, p 197 5th Ward #1647-1515, 1860 Census

[NI078] Married Hubert Wesley Davis, February 14, 1998
Graduated from the University of Houston with a Masters' Degree in Library Science. Is a librarian at Kingwood High School, Kingwood, Texas, and Kingwood College, also in Kingwood.

[NI082] Adriana was graduated from Kingwood High School, Kingwood, Texas in 1988. She attended The University of Arkansas, as did her grandfather. Adriana was a member of Delta Gamma. She was graduated with honors from Old Dominion University with honors. She teaches in Norfolk, Virginia.

[NI083] Andrew Benton Die was graduated from Kingwood High School, Kingwood, Texas in 1992. He was an outstanding football player, winning district awards in the Houston area. He attended the University of the Ozarks and Northwestern for three and one half years.

[NI094] Randal Grant Rhea is from Memphis, Tennessee, and met Adriana at the Universith of Arkansas.

[NI099] Jim and Wilma Rhea adopted Randal as an infant, and have been wonderful parents.

[NI100] Wilma Spencer Rhea was born in Mississippi. She is now a librarian in Memphis, Tennessee.

[NI101] Maxine attended business school and worked in Houston, Texas where she met Bill Benton.

Maxine's parents discovered oil in the 50's in Kilgore, Texas.

[NI105] Ronnie was killed in an automobile accident in Forrest City, Arkansas

[NI114] The only information given is Wheaton, Illinois.

[NF07] Twins born and died in a few days. Alonzo Benton did not know names or sex.


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