Dallas County, Arkansas

Hiram P. BENNETT, planter, Dalark, Ark. A lifetime of hard, earnest endeavor in pursuing the occupation to which he now gives his attention, has had a result to place. Mr. BENNETT among the truly respected and honored agriculturists of the county. He was born in Giles County, Tenn., on July 21, 1831, and is the son of Elijah & Sarah ( WELLS) BENNETT, natives of Middle Tennessee. The father died in Tippah County, Miss., at the age of seventy-six years and the mother died at the age of seventy-one years. They were married in Middle Tennessee, and remained there until 1835, when he moved to Alabama, and soon after to Tippah County, Miss. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and were active workers in the same. The father tilled the soil all his life amassed considerable property, but lost the principal part of it during the late war. He was a Whig in politics. The BENNETT family is of English descent. There were born to Mr. & Mrs. BENNETT a large family of children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and four of whom are now living. Of these, Hiram P. BENNETT was the fourth in order of birth. He received a fair education in Tippah County, Miss., and was married in 1850 to Miss Elizabeth HAMILTON, a native of Mississippi, born in 1830, and the daughter of William HAMILTON. The following children are the results of this union: James R. ( a farmer of this county), William E. (also of this county), Sallie (wife of John PORTERFIELD, a farmer of this county), Elvada (wife of F. A. PORTERFIELD, a farmer of the county and brother of John PORTERFIELD), Frances (deceased, was the wife of W.T. WELLS, of this county), Mary E. (wife of A. L. BETTIS, who is justice of the peace of Manchester Township), Pinkeye Forest (a farmer of the county), Delilah (wife of W.T. WELLS, also a farmer of the county), Lewis C. (at home), Charles W. (at home), and Hiram W. Mr. BENNETT started out for himself as a tiller of the soil, resided in Mississippi until 1865, and then in 1865 came to Dallas County, Ark., locating in this community. He first purchased eighty acres of land, since which time he has increased by adding the balance of one section, and has 200 acres under cultivation. He left the Confederate army with very little means, and a wife and seven children to provide for. He had enlisted in the Twelfth Mississippi Cavalry, under Gen. Forrest, and was in some very active engagements, but was on detached duty most of the time. After the war, he began tilling the soil, and by his industrious habits and great perseverance, soon retrieved his fallen fortunes. In 1871 he was elected justice of the peace of Manchester Township, and served three terms in succession, being associate justice two years of the time. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and contribute liberally to all worthy movements that come to their notices. He is a Democrat in politics, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity.