Clinton DeWitt Bent 1817-1916

BENT, SMILEY, MCFARLAND, OVERHOLT, AUSTIN, THOMAS

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 4/27/2023 at 10:39:14

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, November 23, 1916
page 1

Clinton DeWitt Bent, Louisa county's oldest resident and one of the oldest men in the United states, died at his home at Columbus City, Thursday evening, November 16, 1916, after a very brief illness. Thursday morning while eating breakfast he suddenly fell forward and was carried to his bed. He gradually grew weaker until death came that afternoon. Mr. Bent was born in Sterling, New York, April 30, 1817. Tuesday, November 7th he went to the polls and cast his twentieth ballot for a candidate for president of the United States. In the fall of 1856 Mr. Bent moved from New York to Iowa City where he remained eight years and then moved thirty miles farther south, remaining six years when he moved, to Columbus City where he engaged in stock raising and took many prizes.

He was married October 20, 1849 to Letitia Smiley who died November 19, 1905, to then three children were born, Frances Almira, who was born, October 14, 1841 and did in 1883. She was married in 1861 to J. Stanley McFarlend and was the mother of Mrs. J. L. Overholt of this city. Their second child was Mariette S., who was born June 28, 1843. She was married in 1872 to Cornelius Austin and is still living at Mendon, Illinois. Their third child was Alice Orpha, who was born in 1876. She was married in 1871 to Samuel E. Thomas and died in 1908. She was the mother of H. B. Thomas of this city.

Mr. Bent was greatly interested in education and gave liberally of his means to Monmouth College at Monmouth, Illinois. He is survived by ten grandchildren and twenty four great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. The funeral service was held at the United Presbyterian church at Columbus City Saturday morning at 10:30 conducted by the pastor, Rev. S. Boyd Johnson. Interment was made in the cemetery at Columbus City.