Thomas Hart Benton (Iowa politician) facts for kids

Thomas Hart Benton (born September 5, 1815 – died April 10, 1879) was an American politician. He played an important role in Iowa's early government and during the American Civil War.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Hart Benton was born on September 5, 1815, in Williamson County, Tennessee. He was named after his uncle, who was also a famous politician. His uncle served in the Tennessee Senate and later represented Missouri in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

The younger Thomas H. Benton went to Huntington Academy and Marion College in Missouri. In 1839, he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked as a teacher. After teaching for a while, he became a merchant, selling goods.

Political Career in Iowa

Benton was a member of the Democratic Party. He was elected to the Iowa Senate from District 17. He served in the first Iowa General Assembly from November 30, 1846, to December 3, 1848.

After his time in the state senate, Benton took on a very important job. He became Iowa's first Superintendent of Public Instruction. This meant he was in charge of public education for the entire state for six years. At the same time, he also served as the secretary of the Iowa Board of Regents, which oversaw higher education.

Service During the Civil War

Later in his life, Benton moved to Council Bluffs. When the American Civil War began, Iowa's Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood gave Benton a special task. He was made a colonel and asked to organize a group of soldiers called the 29th Iowa Infantry Regiment.

Benton led the 29th Iowa in battles, including the Battle of Bayou Fourche. After this battle, his regiment had a unique mission: they protected the home of a Confederate general named Albert Pike. Benton was able to do this because both he and General Pike were members of a group called the Freemasons.

After the war ended, Benton was promoted to the rank of brevet brigadier-general. This was an honorary rank given for his service. He then returned to Iowa.

Later Life and Death

In 1865, Benton ran for governor of Iowa in the 1865 Iowa gubernatorial election. He was a Democratic candidate and did not support African-American suffrage (the right for African Americans to vote). He lost the election to the Republican governor, William M. Stone.

After Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, Andrew Johnson became president. During Johnson's presidency, Benton was appointed to a government job as the Assessor of Internal Revenue.

Thomas Hart Benton passed away in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 10, 1879.