Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 717
Benjamin De LAUGHTER, farmer and ginner, Pine Grove, Ark. Rev Solomon De LAUGHTER, the subject of this sketch, was probably born near the latter part of the last century, and was married in 1817 to Miss Susanna TRAILOR. They resided in South Carolina until 1844, and then came to Clark County, ark., thence to Hot Springs, for a few years and then to Ouachita County, where Mrs. De LAUGHTER died in April, 1863. Mr. De LAUGHTER was a Baptist minister for many years and was also a farmer. He filled the office of Justice of the peace for a number of years in Ouachita County, and received his final summons in 1866. The paternal grandfather came from England to America, but was of French origin. Benjamin De LAUGHTER was a native of Edgefield District, S.C., born in 1844, and was the youngest of fourteen children-seven sons and seven daughters -two sons and two daughters living, the youngest and oldest. Twelve of these children were members of the Baptist Church, and three brothers lost their lives in the Confederate army : James P. (died at Fort Pillow). Absolom (died in a Northern prison) and George (died while on a furlough). Benjamin De LAUGHTER received very little school, and to obtain this was obliged to walk three or four miles, as he was reared in the wilds of Arkansas. He began for himself at the age of eighteen years as a farm hand, and for a short, during the latter part of the war, was in the Arkansas Battalion at Camden. He was married, November 11, 1869, to Miss Eliza KING, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Thomas and Katie KING. Mr. & Mrs. KING were born, reared and married in North Carolina, and from there moved to Tennessee, where they remained until about 1850. They then emigrated to Dallas Creek, and were among the first families. There they improved a farm and resided until 1889, when they gave up housekeeping, and are now residing in Arkansas. To the marriage of Mr. & Mrs. De LAUGHTER were six children, three sons and two daughters now living. In 1871 Mr. De LAUGHTER and family settled on their present farm, consisting of 220 acres, and has eighty acres under cultivation. For about twelve years he has also run a good steam gin. In politics his is Democratic, and his first vote was for Gen. Grant. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Manchester Lodge No. 16 He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.