The
little hamlet of Benbow, which
stands on the northwest quarter of section 13, township 59-8,
was originally called Midway. Its founder was Thomas Adams, who
established a general store or trading post at the site thirty
years ago, and continued to do business at this point for many
years. The name was changed with the establishment of the
post-office, during the war, in 1862. Prior to this time the
citizens of the western part of the township had obtained all
their mail matter at Emerson. The post-office department was
dissatisfied with the loyalty or political opinions of the
postmaster, removed him, and appointed a widow lady in his
stead. The people of the vicinity of Midway concluded to ask for
an office, and Collen B. Kemble and Harvey J. Mann drew up a
petition, which was largely signed, and presented it to the
department, asking for the establishment of a post-office at
Midway, the office to bear that name.
The department, in answer, signified its willingness to
establish the
office, but informed the petitioners that there was already one
post-office called Midway in Missouri, and that another name
must be selected. Mr. Adams owned a farm on section 2 (59-8)
through which passed a branch of Troublesome creek, which, by
reason of a peculiar crook in it-thus: )--had formerly been
called Bent-bow, from its likeness in shape to a bended bow, but
which name had gradually been contracted until it was commonly
pronounced "Ben'-bow." It was concluded to recommend
the postmaster general to call the office Benbow,
which he did, and this name it bears to this day.
The village now has two stores, a post-office, and a good
blacksmith shop. The leading merchant is Mr. J. W. Terrill, the
proprietor of the "People's Store," a very superior
establishment, and one very popular in the community, containing
a large assortment of general merchandise, sold at reasonable
rates. Mr. G. W. West, the village blacksmith, has been in the
place four years, is an excellent workman, and always at his
post in his little smithy, where week in, week out, from morn
till night, you can hear his bellows roar."
The village is situated in a beautiful section of country, well
improved, and very valuable.