Benton County

The site of Benton County is the plateau of the Ozark Mountains, the greatest unbroken portion of which in this State lies west of White River, in the counties of Benton and Washington. The elevation of the county above sea level averages from 1,400 to 1,600 feet, and the summit of Poor Mountain, in the northeastern part, is probably the highest point. With the exception of a strip of land about two miles wide, extending from Rogers to the southern boundary, the whole surface of the county lying east of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad is so broken … Read more

The following section of this website is based upon History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas published in Chicago, Illinois in 1889, and several other manuscripts interspersed throughout. A list of works consulted for this history is located at the bottom of this page. The county of Benton lies in the extreme northwestern corner of the State of Arkansas, and is bounded north by McDonald and Barry Counties in the State of Missouri, east by Carroll and Madison Counties in Arkansas, south by Washington County in the same State, and west by the Indian Territory. … Read more

In the constitution of 1836, under which the State of Arkansas was admitted into the Union, under Article VII, is found the following general provision pertaining to education, viz.: “Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government, and diffusing the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the State being highly conducive to this end, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide by law for the improvement of such lands as are or hereafter may be granted by the United States to this State … Read more

In July, 1884, A. J. Wilks, J. N. Ingram, J. B. Lamkins, J. C. Vandagriff and others filed with the court a petition for the formation of a new township within the following boundary lines, to-wit: “Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 26, in Township 21 north, Range 28 west; thence west to the northeast corner of Section 29; thence north to the northeast corner of Section 20; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 19; thence south in Range 29 to the northeast corner of Section 25; thence west to the northwest corner of same; thence south … Read more

Benton County has been mainly an agricultural county, other industries not having been, until recently, introduced. While the soil is not as rich as it is in some counties, it produces well, although but little scientific farming has ever been applied to it. The farm areas and farm values of the county, as ascertained by the census of 1880, were as follows: Number of farms, 2,725; acres of improved lands, 121,874; value of farms, including land, fences and buildings, $2,256,424; value of farming implements and machinery, $112,193; value of live stock, $580,425; cost of building and repairing fences, $30,621; cost … Read more

The first general election in Benton County was held in August, 1838, being for the election of governor, members of the Legislature and county officers. The whole number of votes cast in the county on that occasion was 272. Politically the county has always been strongly Democratic. and that party has always elected its officers with the exception of the period following the war, when Democrats who had participated in the Rebellion were disfranchised. During that period Republican officers were elected, and since that time up to the present year the Republicans of Benton County have not had a ticket … Read more

The first case before the Circuit Court was that of the State against Samuel Vaughan, George W. Vaughan, Abram Hamilton, Price McMurty, John Meeks and Reese Butler for committing a “riot.” The indictment not having been preserved, the full particulars of the matter cannot be given. Some of the defendants did not live in Benton County, neither was the riot committed in this county. On being arraigned for trial the defendants moved to quash the indictment, and after hearing the arguments of counsel on the motion, the court ruled that the indictment was not sufficient in law to maintain the … Read more

While it is not positively known, it is believed that Adam Batie, who settled on the prairie that now bears his name, near the present site of Maysville, was the first settler in Benton County. The date of his settlement has not been ascertained, but it is presumed to have been prior to the year 1830. Batie Prairie and the creek that flows from it are both named in honor to this early and first settler. In 1830 John McPhail and his father settled on that prairie. Soon thereafter Martin Mays settled on the present town site of Maysville, and … Read more

For many years after the formation of the State of Arkansas her educational facilities were of the most meager kind, and although many improvements have been made in the past, it may truthfully be said that in this respect she is still far behind many of her sister States, though perhaps fully on a par with those having had the same opportunities. But few of the children of the early settlers of Benton County enjoyed the benefit of schools, even of the poorest class, while the great majority of them were, on account of the very few schools and the … Read more

There are two noted highways passing through Benton County, known as the “Line Road” and the “State Road.” The former passes on or near the boundary line of Benton County and the Indian Territory, hence the name “Line Road.” It is also known as the “Old Military Road,” having been cut out and established by the general government from Fort Scott, in Kansas, to Fort Smith, in Arkansas, for the purpose of opening and establishing communications between those important points. In some places this road runs on the boundary line, especially at and for a few miles south of Maysville, … Read more

Add main content here…The following are lists of public officers serving in, or representing Benton County, from the date of its organization to the present time, together with dates of service: Circuit Court Judges Joseph M. Hoge, 1837-39; Lewis B. Tully, 1839-40; Joseph M. Hoge, 1840-44; Sebron G. Sneed, 1844-48; William W. Floyd, 1848-50; Alfred B. Greenwood, 1850-53; Felix I. Batson, 1853-58; John M. Wilson, 1858-61; Joseph J. Green, 1861 (vacant during war period); Elias Harrell, 1865-67; William Story, 1867-68; E. D. Ham, 1868-73; J. H. Huckleberry, 1873-75; J. M. Pittman, 1875-79; James H. Berry, 1879-83; J. M. Pittman, present … Read more

The origin of the county court of Benton County, and the time and place of holding its first term, has been given under the head of “Organization.” For many years–up to 1873–the court was composed of a county judge and two associate justices. The judge was elected by the people, and the associate justices by the several justices of the peace, who met at the county seat in January each year for that purpose. In 1873, under a change in the law, the court was made to consist of a board of supervisors consisting of three persons, Dysert Woods. John … Read more

The first court-house was a small hewed log building, which stood on the north side of the public square, in Bentonville. It was built in 1837. Being only a temporary “makeshift,” to be used only until a better building could be constructed, it stood only two or three years, or until the second court-house, a more permanent building, was completed. This was a two-story brick structure about fifty feet square, and stood upon the center of the public square, where the well is now located. The court room was in the first story, and the county offices and jury rooms … Read more

From the date of the battle of Pea Ridge to the close of the war Benton County was alternately possessed, overrun and devastated by the opposing armies. Provisions, crops and other property was appropriated for the use of the troops; houses were pillaged and burned, and the fences on many farms, especially in the vicinity of the soldiers’ camps, were entirely consumed for fuel. Good, dry rails burned so much easier than green wood, made better fires, and saved the labor of chopping. However, the soldiers only took the “top rails,” but it was understood that after these were taken … Read more

Following the above proceeding, a petition was filed for a new municipal township, to be called Decatur Township, whereupon the court, after due consideration of the matter, ordered that “the said new township, which is called Decatur, should be composed of and bounded as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of Section 34, in Township 20 north, Range 32 west, and running due south along the west boundary of Section 34, and on west side of Sections 3, 10. 15 and 22, Township 19 north, Range 32 west, to the southwest corner of Section 22, thence on south boundary of … Read more

Methodist Episcopal Church In a very early day, probably early in the thirties, Rev. James Mayfield organized a church of this denomination in the vicinity of War Eagle Mills. Prior to 1839 Rev. Walter Thornberry organized a Methodist church at his residence in the southern part of the county, in the vicinity of Wager’s Mills. Rev. Swaggerty was a pioneer minister of this denomination in Benton County, laboring during the thirties, and perhaps later. Martin and Walter, sons of Walter Thornberry, Sr., both became Methodist preachers. Other Methodist churches were established in the county in an early day, and when … Read more

On the first day of September, 1887, over twenty-five years after the battle of Pea Ridge was fought, the people, with the surviving veteran soldiers, met on that famous field to commemorate the event, and to witness the unveiling of the monument erected to the memory of Gens. McCulloch, McIntosh and Slack, and other brave Confederates who fell on that occasion. The camp-ground for the reunion was established one mile southwest of Elkhorn Tavern, near a fine gushing spring in a densely shaded grove. Here thousands of people, including many veterans, assembled to enjoy the occasion. From this lovely spot … Read more

The village of Cherokee City is situated in Section 26, Town 19, Range 34, about three-fourths of a mile from the Indian Territory line. It was surveyed by David Chandler in 1880, for himself, James Ingle and M. D. Cunningham, the original proprietors. Before the war there was a place kept on the opposite side of the branch at Cherokee City, called “Hog Eye,” where whisky was kept to sell to the Indians. Cherokee City was built up in 1881 and 1882, by a “boom” it acquired as a summer resort. Like several other places, it has some excellent springs … Read more

The origin and location of Bentonville, the county seat of Benton County, has been given in connection with the organization of the county. Being established in 1837, the first store opened in the place was managed by Dr. Nicholas Spring, under the firm name of Blythe & Spring, and the next one was opened by two brothers, John G. and William T. Walker. Blythe & Spring had a pretty fair stock of goods, but the Walkers had a broken stock, worth only about $800. In 1840 or 1841 another store was opened by some parties from Fayetteville, and in 1850 … Read more

The village of Bloomfield lies on Round Prairie, six miles north of Siloam Springs. It was surveyed and platted by David Chandler for G. W. Mitchell, its original proprietor. It contains a large public square surrounded with lots. Dr. J. H. Neagle built the first house in the village. It stands at the northeast corner of the public square. R. B. Mitchell opened the first store, and has continued in business ever since. The post-office was established the next year after the town was laid out, and R. B. Wilson was made postmaster, and still holds the office. Following Wilson, … Read more

This little village is prettily located on the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad, five miles north of Rogers. It was laid out in 1881 by Albert Peel, who built the first house and opened the first store in the place. It now contains the railroad depot, two stores, kept, respectively, by Albert Peel and J. R. Dunagin, a blacksmith shop and grain warehouse, also a district school-house. Grain, railroad ties, fence posts and fruits, especially small fruits, are extensively shipped from this station. Brightwater is a station on the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad, two miles northeast of … Read more

Who has not read and been greatly amused with the account of the “Arkansas Travelers?” Perhaps but few people are aware that some one in Benton County was connected with the authorship and preparation of that funny and interesting article. The reputed author of the “Arkansas Traveler” was Col. Sandy Faulkner, of Little Rock, and the individual who drew the illustrations which accompanied and formed a part of the article was Edward Washburn, a son of Rev. Ceaphas Washburn, a Presbyterian minister, who lived in Benton County, about six miles southwest of Bentonville, on the farm now occupied by L. … Read more

The first attorney of the Benton County bar was A. B. Greenwood, now familiarly called “Judge” Greenwood. He settled at Bentonville the year the county was organized, and except when absent on official business has resided here ever since. For the first four years of the existence of the county he constituted the whole bar, being the only resident attorney. Attorneys from abroad, however, came here to practice. At a ripe old age the Judge is vigorous and active. He has had much to do in making the history of this county, and has imparted much information to the compiler … Read more