Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 544 - 545 

BENJAMIN NEWMAN. Among the prominent agriculturists and pioneer citizens of Sedgwick County, who have assisted so materially in the development of Wichita and the surrounding country, is Mr. Newman, a resident on section 7, Kechi Township. He was born in Racine County, Wis., March 30, 1837, while that State was under Territorial government. He was the second child of his parents, George and Phoebe (Smith) Newman, who were natives of the Empire State.

            The father of our subject was a son of Shubel Newman; the mother's name was Dibble; both were natives of New York. The grandfather of our subject was a. veteran of the War of 1812-15, and for a second wife married a sister of Col. Backus, of the regular army, who held the post at Detroit at the breaking out of the last war with England, and whose father was killed at the battle of Sackett's Harbor. The father of our subject was engaged in farming in New York, and removing to Ohio in 1832, was one of the pioneers of the portion of the Buckeye State where he settled. In 1836 he again removed, this time to the Territory of Wisconsin, where he was among the first settlers. Two years later he settled in Cook County, Ill., where he remained until 1880, when he came to Kansas and settled in Kechi Township, section 8. He purchased 160 acres of improved land in that place, and 240 acres of railroad land on section 17, which was totally unimproved. He brought the property to a high state of culture, and there made his residence for some time and then sold out, and is now living in Valley Center Township, this county. His excellent wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1864, and Mr. Newman was again married in 1865.

            The subject of this sketch received his education in the district schools of Illinois and was early initiated into farm labor. He remained at home, assisting his father in carrying on the labors on the family homestead, until Aug. 14, 1862, when, being filled with patriotism and a love of country, he enlisted in Company G, 88th Illinois Infantry, which was familiarly know as the 2d Chicago Board of Trade Regiment. He was mustered into the United States service at Chicago, and with the gallant regiment to which he was attached, participated in many battles and skirmishes which occurred in the Southwest, among which the principal were those at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Franklin and Nashville. After having been actively engaged in the entire campaigns of the Army of the Cumberland, he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., June 9, 1865, returned to Illinois and, like Cincinnatus, to his work of tilling the soil.

            The subject of this biography was married in New York, Sept. 29, 1868, to Miss Mary J. Wightman, a native of the Empire State, born May 9 1842, and the adopted child of the family of C. D, and Sophia (Isham) Wightman, who were also natives of New York. After his marriage Mr. Newman settled on a farm in Illinois, but a year after removed to Wichita, driving his team all the way from Chicago, and was on the road some five weeks. On his arrival in the former city in 1870, he found it but a small place, which at that day gave but little promise of so soon developing into the large and magnificent city which it is at present. He was engaged in teaming in the town for a number of years, and during the first year of his residence here erected the first dwelling on Lawrence avenue. In 1885 he purchased eighty acres of improved land on section 7, to which he removed and commenced its cultivation. The farm is pleasantly situated on the Little Arkansas River, which affords an amply supply of water for all stock purposes and for irrigation. The improvements upon his place are of a comfortable and substantial character, and it is well stocked with good horses and high-grade Durham cattle.

            To Mr. and Mrs. Newman have been born a family of four children, as follows: Wightman, who died at the age of eight years, Jan. 18, 1877; Emma L., William R. and Benjamin Raymond. The latter three are at home with their parents, and in attendance at the district school. Our subject is a Republican in his politics, and takes an active part in the local campaigns and work of that party. He is at present serving as School Director, and while a resident of Wichita filled the office of Street Commissioner for two years. As a relic of the late war, he has in his possession a rebel flag which belonged to Gen. Hardee's corps, upon which is painted the names of the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Ringgold Gap and Chickamauga.

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