Mr. (Ben) Estes was born at Woodbury, Tenn., September 23, 1844, being one of twelve children of the Old North State and ¹son of John and Margaret [THOMPSON] Estes.  John Estes was killed in the Florida Indian War and ²his wife survived him until 1857. 

John M. ESTES attained manhood in Tennessee, gained a moderate education, and was married there, but in 1847, was a resident, most of the time, in Yellville.  He became well known throughout this  section, was respected by all who knew him and was a man of unblemished reputation.

His wife was born in Tennessee, living on her farm near Yellville, and in addition to her twelve children, she has 240 grand, great grand, and great-great grandchildren.

By trade, John M. ESTES was a blacksmith, but later he became a merchant, was a strong Democrat and free trader politically, and for some time treasurer of Marion County and also deputy sheriff for some time.  He was a Union man during the war and greatly opposed to secession, but all his sons upheld the Southern cause.  He remained neutral during the war, resided in Yellville and was never molested by the opposing armies but was considerably annoyed by bushwhackers.  His children were as follows: Edward was a soldier of the Confederate Army and died while in the service, leaving a wife (Mary Ann PARKER) and six children; Margaret is the widow of  Gideon THOMPSON and resides near Yellville; John (G.) died in 1874, was a Confederate soldier; Elizabeth is the widow of H.R. HUTCHINSON and she and Mrs. THOMPSON are living together; Mart C. (Mary Catherine "Kate" nee: Estes)  is the wife of A.S. WOOD; James is living near Yellville; William resides one mile from that place; Silas died at the age of three years, and Thomas J. is the editor of the "Lead Hill Sentinel", Boone Co., Ark.  The parents of these children were members of the Christian Church.

The greater part of the life of  B. (Benjamin) M. ESTES has been spent in Marion and Boone Counties.  At the age of sixteen he entered the Confederate service (Herrete Batallion, 27th Arkansas Infantry) and served faithfully from 1861 to 1865, being mustered out with the rank of Lieutenant, in charge of one section of courier line from Mississippi toTrans-Mississippi Department having participated in the engagements of Poison Springs, Marks Mill, and others too numerous to mention.  Upon his return he found his parents in a needy condition and he at once gave them his aid in the making of a crop, and was never again blessed with the opportunity of attending school.

January 11, 1866, he was married to Martha JACKSON, a daughter of David and Phinina [BROWN] JACKSON.  She was born in Taney County, Mo., October 25, 1847, of which section her parents were among the early pioneers from Tennessee.  The father was a native of North Carolina and died in Springfield, Mo., while a prisoner during the war.  His wife is still living and is now nearly eighty-seven years of age.  Three of their ten children are living:  Nancy, David, and Martha.

Mr. Estes became the owner of a good farm four miles from Yellville, but at the end of five years sold out and moved to Kansas and only remained there four months.  He then returned to Yellville and entered the livery business, building the stable which Mr. WILSON now owns.  Later he purchased a farm seven miles from town,  but sold it eventually and moved to Boone County, engaged in the nursery business, and in this occupation has ever since been interested. He purchased a fine farm three miles west of Harrison and moved his nursery to it, and was very successful in that business.

In October, 1893, he formed an excellent general line of goods, and active worker in the same and also for the causes of education and temperance.  He is an earnest Sunday-school worker, being loved by the children, for whom he ever has a kind word.  In fact he is a worthy man and a useful citizen.  He has been active in political work, has been an aspirant for public favor.  He and his wife have eight children:  Hulda, (Belva Ora, wife of John Allen COWDREY) Alice, wife of J. G. PILLOW,  of Harrison; Iva Nora; Isa Dora, wife of Prof. W. I. TERRY of Harrison;  Martin Oliver; Essie, and Nettie M..

Mr. Estes has been successful in the accumulation of means, and although he has made many changes of residence he is the owner of a fine farm of 263 acres, also one of 100 acres near Harrison, Boone County, besides the interest in the general mercantile establishment at Eros.

This is how the article appeared in the paper but there are errors which I have noted.

Note:  Additions in RED were added by me:  Rhio Gillis

 (1) Official Election Returns of Boone County
 For Representative:
 Ben M. ESTES..........................1664
 I. D. LAMB..................................768

 (2)     "Thursday was a Gala Day, again, in Harrison, the occasion being the Annual Horse Show as
 announced for several weeks in the Times.  Over a thousand of our most progressive farmers and
 stockmen gathered. Hon. B. M. ESTES, as general manager of the Show was ably assisted by:
 Joe WEAVER, Dr. W. A. FRY and others. 

Photo by:  Rhio Gillis, Sept. 1998 Speer Cemetery, Capps area, Boone Co., AR