Bennett Smartt TERRY

1872 - 1932

*Obituary
Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun
Thursday, May 12, 1932

TERRY, Ben S. - Ben S. Terry, aged 59 years, for many years publisher of the Benton County Democrat here, died suddenly at his home in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday from heart failure. He was apparently in good health the day before and had spent some time working in his garden. The body was brought here by motor hearse for burial Wednesday afternoon. Funeral services were held from the home of his mother, Mrs. Sue Terry, this {Thursday} forenoon, his former pastor and long-time friend, Rev. J.P. Pinkerton, of Springfield conducting the services. Burial was made in the City Cemetery. Mr. Terry was born in Dallas, Texas in January 1873, his mother dying shortly afterwards. He was brought here by his father, W.A. Terry, of Bentonville when about three months old and grew to manhood here. He attended and graduated from the college at Bellbuckle, Tenn. and later from the University of Virginia. He also attended the law school of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Returning home he was elected deputy prosecuting attorney for several years. Later he entered the abstract business with W.E. Patton and a few years afterwards purchased the Benton County Democrat from Joe Stevenson. Selling out he moved to Springfield where he was employed by an abstract firm. Surviving Mr. Terry are his wife, Mrs. Helen Oliver Terry, three daughters, Mrs. Joseph Coy of Oklahoma City, Mrs. Frank Vollmer and Mrs. Glenn Finkvine of Springfield; two sons, Dick Smartt Terry and Chas. Bennett Terry, Springfield; his mother, Mrs. Sue Terry, a brother, Will Terry and a sister, Mrs. Katherine Self of Bentonville; and a sister, Mrs. Russell Dickson, Oklahoma City.

*Obituary
Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun
Thursday, May 26, 1932

Ben S. Terry was born in Dallas, Texas Jan. 1st, 1873, the son of Col. W.A. Terry and Catherine Smartt Terry, and died at Springfield, Mo. May 10, 1932. While an infant in arms he was brought to Bentonville where he spent the major portion of his life. He was educated in public schools of Bentonville and private school at Bell Buckle, Tenn. and the University of Virginia. The late Judge James A. Rice was his preceptor in the study of law. He also attended the law department of the University of Michigan. He was admitted to the Benton County Bar in 1894 and although of a fine erudite and analytical mind he did not choose to practice. In later years he became the owner and editor of the Benton County Democrat and in this position demonstrated his splendid ability as a writer of force and clearness. He did not know how to camouflage a situation with indecision and subterfuge, yet his opinions of his fellow man was always tempered with sympathy and broad charity. Ben Terry was a material part of Bentonville as were his people on both sides before him. There is much in the history of its advancement that reflect his character and interest and in the memory of a legion of old time friends he will be affectionately held for the fine upstanding fellow he was. So playmate of my childhood, chum of my boyhood, pal of later years, my friend always; the black camel has knelt at your gate and you have joined that mysterious caravan that treks from No More to Forever in the great adventure called death and I say from my heart, good bye and happy landing.-"H."

Contributed on 5/30/08 by wfields55
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Record #: 25093

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