Dent's Settlement was made just south of the present town of Bismarck and it was among the very early settlements made in St. Francois County being associated with the Big River Mills Settlement, Cook's Settlement, and Murphy's Settlement. Its name came from the name of the first settlers there. Some of those were Mark Dent, Absalom Dent, John Dent, John Henry, Sam Tulloch, Magnus Tulloch, Christopher C. Grider, who was noted for his fine horses, William Garnett, Henry Garnett, John Cartee, Joseph Rydeen and others. Mark Dent was one of the first Sheriffs of St. Francois County. This settlement no longer exists but was situated on the main line of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad.