Denton

The history of the Denton family belongs to both Marion and Baxter Counties. During the 1850's Benjamin Franklin Denton and family came from Tennessee to Marion County. The 1860 census gives his age as 60 and that of his wife Sarah as 59. Two children are listed in this household: Polly Ann, 30, and Abraham, 23. B. F. Denton was a native of Georgia. He was a farmer. William Denton, his son, was also a farmer and was engaged in farming in Tennessee before coming to Arkansas. William was born in 1823 and his wife, Rebecca Walker Denton, was born in 1824.

On the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted for service and was with Colonel Price in his raid through Missouri, remaining in action until the close of the war. He participated in many of the important campaigns in Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas, and was in the historic battle of Prairie Grove. At the close of the war, he returned to Marion County and homesteaded 204 acres of unimproved land which he had to clear himself. His tireless energy and ability made it possible for him to retire from farming. He moved to Gassville in Baxter County and lived there until his death in 1905. His wife died in 1906. They were the parents of B. F., a physician; S. E., a lawyer; Lee, a contractor; Judson; Abraham; Nancy, wife of D. H. Poynter; Sarah, wife of Adam Gibson; Elizabeth, wife of V. B. Tate; Emma, wife of L. E. Hooper; and Miranda.

In the CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS, 1922 Edition, by Dallas Herndon, the story of S. E. Denton is given. His early training was received in subscription schools at Flippin, Arkansas. It was necessary for him to walk three miles each day, and he attended only three months each year. The remainder of the time he worked with his father on the farm. In 1877 he entered the mercantile business at Gassville and for 18 years conducted the business successfully. About that time he began the study of law and practiced for some time with Colonel Horton of Mountain Home. He was admitted to the bar in 1914. In addition to his work as a lawyer, he was also interested in real estate.

In 1882 S. E. Denton and Eldora Wilkie were married. She was a native of Georgia and a daughter of H. K. Wilkie, who came to Baxter County at an early age. Their children were: Myrtle, wife of Lyle Shoemaker of Gassville; H. J. (Jud), a lawyer of Cotter; Georgia, wife of W. C. Alley; Lela, wife of F. W. Gallagher; and Leona, wife of R. L. Tucker. The Dentons were affiliated with the Democratic party and were Baptists.

Another Denton family was that of Jonathan Denton (1819) and his wife Nancy J. (1828). Their children were: Sarah, James, Daniel, and William. These were all of the known children. Perhaps, there were more. All of these Dentons were born in Tennessee with the exception of William, who was born in Arkansas.

The Dentons were farmers and owned valuable property according to the census of 1860. Both families had some money. Many families in Baxter County are descendants of B. F. Denton who came to Arkansas many years ago.