Sidney Wright Benton (1894 - 1977)

Born 4 Aug 1894 in Buckner, Columbia, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Dorothy L. (Lighton) Benton — married 12 Feb 1929 in Washington, Arkansas, United States

Died 8 Mar 1977 at age 82 in Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jimmy Honey [send private message]

Biography

Sidney Benton is Notable.

Sidney Wright Benton was a notable figure due to his diverse accomplishments and contributions. His passion for baseball led him to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks in college, and even to reach Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Beyond sports, he served in the Army during World War I and helped organize the American Legion in Fayetteville. ^[1]

Sidney Wright Benton was born on August 4, 1894, in Buckner, Columbia County, Arkansas, to parents Bethel Wright Benton and Lucinda Jane (Briant) Benton.^[2] He spent his early years in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, where he lived in 1900 and 1910.^[3][4]

In 1916, Sidney's love for baseball led him to accept a position on the Monticello baseball team in Monticello, Arkansas.^[5] The following year, he continued to live in Fayetteville, where he earned a living through farming.^[6] However, 1917 marked a significant change in Sidney's life, as he was selected during the first round of drafts to serve in the Army during World War I. Although the details of his service are not entirely known, it is believed he was sent to Camp Pike. ^[7][8]

After the war, in 1919, Sidney helped organize the American Legion in Fayetteville and was appointed to the committee of the charter application.^[9] By 1920, he had moved to Prairie Grove, Washington County, Arkansas, where he continued to farm.^[10]

Sidney's passion for baseball persisted, and he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks while attending the University of Arkansas. His talent led him to the Major League Baseball (MLB), where he played as a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1922 season. Despite playing only one game in his career, his love for the sport remained undiminished. After his brief stint in the MLB, he was released to the Syracuse International League Club, a minor league baseball team.^{[1][11][12][13][14]}

On a personal front, Sidney married Dorothy R. Lighton on February 12, 1929, in Washington County, Arkansas.^[15][16][17] In the 1930s, he lived in Prairie Grove, Washington County, Arkansas, where he continued his work as a farmer.^[18] By 1940, he had moved back to Fayetteville and worked as an appraiser, a profession he continued into the 1950s.^[19][20][21]

Sidney Wright Benton passed away on March 8, 1977, in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas.^[22] He was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Fayetteville, leaving behind a legacy of service, sportsmanship, and dedication to his community.^[23]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Wikipedia contributors, "Sid Benton," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sid_Benton&oldid=947159388 (accessed November 21, 2023).
2. ↑ Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1894 Ancestry Record 61774 #539187
3. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: 79; Enumeration District: 0113 Ancestry Record 7602 #2984966
4. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Fayetteville Ward 2, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: T624_67; Page: 13a; Enumeration District: 0143; FHL microfilm: 1374080 Ancestry Record 7884 #194659735
5. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Fayetteville Republic, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 23 Jun 1916, Fri. - Page 4. "Sidney Benton accepts postion on the Monticello baseball team." Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
6. ↑ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Registration State: Arkansas; Registration County: Washington County Ancestry Record 6482 #25624623
7. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Springdale News, Springdale, Arkansas, 27 Jul 1917, Fri. Page 7. "Washington County First Draft Numbers." Accessed 21 Aug 2023.
8. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Springdale News, 31 Aug 1917, Fri. - Page 1. "Names Ceritifed - WWI Draft." Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
9. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Arkansas Democrat, Little Rock, Arkansas, 28 Jul 1919, Mon. - Page 5. "To Organize Legion." Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
10. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Prairie Grove, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: T625_84; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 149 Ancestry Record 6061 #41480695
11. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Fayetteville Daily Democrat, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 29 Mar 1921, Tue. - Page 1. "Omaha, Razorbacks to Clash Tomorrow." Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
12. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Daily Arkansas Gazette, Little Rock, Arkansas, 5 Apr 1922, Wed. - Page 10. "Hornsby Hitless, But the Cards Take Game, 2 to 0." Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
13. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Daily Arkansas Gazette, Little Rock, Arkansas, 22 Aug 1922, Tue. - Page 8. "Cards Release Benton - Pitcher Joins the Procession to the Syracuse Club." Accessed 21 Nov 2023.
14. ↑ U.S., Professional Baseball Player Profiles, 1876-2004: Ancestry.com. U.S., Professional Baseball Player Profiles, 1876-2004 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: Baseball Almanac, comp.. Biographical baseball data provided by Baseball Almanac. Images reproduced courtesy of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Ancestry Record 8666 #15187
15. ↑ Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957: Ancestry.com. Arkansas, U.S., County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2011. "Arkansas County Marriages, 1838–1957," database, FamilySearch; from Arkansas Courts of Common Pleas and County Clerks. Digital images of originals housed at various county courthouses in the State of Arkansas. Marriage records. Ancestry Record 2548 #1315433
16. ↑ Arkansas, Marriage Certificates, 1917-1972: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Marriage Certificates; Year: 1929; Film: #10 Ancestry Record 61775 #376976
17. ↑ Arkansas, U.S., Washington County Marriage Records, 1845-1941: Ancestry.com. Arkansas, U.S., Washington County Marriage Records, 1845-1941 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Marriage Records. Washington County Archives, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Ancestry Record 60627 #1716
18. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Prairie, Washington, Arkansas; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 0027; FHL microfilm: 2339832 Ancestry Record 6224 #24357323
19. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00179; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 72-24 Ancestry Record 2442 #100881961
20. ↑ U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942: The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147 Ancestry Record 1002 #117646
21. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: 1246; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 72-31 Ancestry Record 62308 #32550077
22. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #4305559
23. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47063380/sidney-wright-benton: accessed 21 November 2023), memorial page for Sidney Wright -Sid- Benton (4 Aug 1894–8 Mar 1977), Find A Grave: Memorial #47063380, citing Evergreen Cemetery, Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by J. Colin Clark (contributor 47094715).

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q7507739