Thomas Hart Benton | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Iowa Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
| In office 1848–1854 | |
| Member of theIowa Senate from the15th district | |
| In office 30 November 1846 – 3 December 1848 Serving with Theophilus Crawford | |
| Succeeded by | John G. Shields |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1816-09-05)5 September 1816 |
| Died | 10 April 1879(1879-04-10) (aged 62) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relatives | Thomas Hart Benton (uncle) |
| Alma mater | Marion College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States (Union) |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Rank | Brevet Brigadier-General |
| Commands | 29th Iowa Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
Thomas Hart Benton (5 September 1816 – 10 April 1879) was an American politician.
Born on 5 September 1816 inWilliamson County, Tennessee, Thomas Hart Benton was named afterhis uncle, who served in theTennessee Senate, and represented Missouri in theUnited States Senate andHouse of Representatives. The younger T. H. Benton attended Huntington Academy andMarion College in Missouri. In 1839, Benton moved toDubuque, Iowa, and found work as a teacher. After ending his teaching career, he became a merchant.[1]
Politically, Benton was affiliated with theDemocratic Party. He was elected to theIowa Senate fromDistrict 15, and served as a member of the First Iowa General Assembly from 30 November 1846 to 3 December 1848. He stepped down from the state senate to serve six years asIowa's first Superintendent of Public Instruction. At the time, that office was held concurrently with the position of secretary of theIowa Board of Regents.[1]
Later, Benton moved toCouncil Bluffs. As theAmerican Civil War broke out, GovernorSamuel J. Kirkwood granted Benton the military rank of colonel and tasked him with organizing the29th Iowa Infantry Regiment. Following theBattle of Bayou Fourche, the 29th Iowa, under Benton's command, protected the home of Confederate generalAlbert Pike. Benton completed this task because both he and Pike were Freemasons. Benton was elevated to the rank of brevet brigadier-general and returned to Iowa after the war ended. Benton contested the1865 Iowa gubernatorial election as a Democratic candidate opposed to African-American suffrage, and lost toRepublican incumbentWilliam M. Stone. AfterAndrew Johnson assumed the presidency following theassassination of Abraham Lincoln, the Republican Assessor of Internal Revenue was removed from office, and Benton took on the position. Benton died inSt. Louis, Missouri, on 10 April 1879.[1]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
