Background
Benton, Jacob was born on August 19, 1814 in Waterford, Caledonia County, Vermont, United States.
officer politician representative
Benton, Jacob was born on August 19, 1814 in Waterford, Caledonia County, Vermont, United States.
Born in Waterford, Vermont Benton attended the common schools, Lyndon Academy, and Randolph Academy. He was graduated from Burr and Burton Seminary at Manchester, Vermont in 1839.
In 1841, Benton began to study law with Heaton and Reed in Montpelier, Vermont. He became principal of the academy at Concord Corner, Vermont, while continuing to study law with Henry A. Bellows of Littleton. He also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1860.
During the Civil War, he was a Brigadier General commanding state volunteers.
Elected as a Republican to the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses, Benton served as United States Representative for the third district of New Hampshire (March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871) and declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1870. After leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of law.
Thrown from his carriage, Benton died in Lancaster, New Hampshire, on September 29, 1892 (age 78 years, 41 days). He is interred at Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster, New Hampshire.
Benton was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives 1854-1856.