William Plummer Benton was born on December 25, 1828, in New Market, Maryland. His father died in 1829, and his mother moved the family to Richmond, Indiana. By 1847, he was working as a chairmaker in Cincinnati, Ohio. He served in the Mexican American War, and he fought at Churubusco, Chapultepec, and Mexico City. According to his service records, he was 5 feet, 7 ½ inches tall, with dark hair and hazel eyes. He returned to Richmond after the war, and he was admitted to the bar in 1851. He supported the Whig Party, and he was elected district attorney in 1852.

 

He married Sarah A. Wiggins on January 26, 1853, and they had at least three children: Walter, born around 1854; Jessie, born around 1856; and Mary, born around 1859. When the Whig Party collapsed, he joined the Republican Party, and he was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court in 1856. He served one term, and a local writer noted that he “discharged with acceptance and ability the duties of the office.” By 1860, he owned $2,000 of real estate and $600 of personal property. His wife died of consumption in 1861.

 

In April 1861, he received a commission as a captain in the 8^th Indiana Infantry. He was promoted to colonel almost immediately, and he was promoted to brigadier general in April 1862. He took part in the Vicksburg campaign, and he mustered out on July 24, 1865.

 

He married Emma Lenhart during the war. After the war, he became Collector of Internal Revenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. He died of yellow fever on March 14, 1867.

 

Image: William P. Benton (courtesy Wikicommons)

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