Charles Wesley Benight of Terre Haute

CHARLES WESLEY BENIGHT was born on March 10, 1846, in Terre Haute, Vigo Co., Indiana. His parents were Guy R. BENIGHT and Harriet (MAY) BENIGHT. Both of his grandparents, Joseph BENNIGHT and Samuel MAY came to Vigo County in the early 1800's. Charles moved to Iowa with his parents when he was eight years old (1854). They settled where the present town of Waterloo is located. At age 18, while living at Waterloo, IA, Charles joined Company C of the 32nd Iowa Infantry during the Civil War. His military record: enlisted 23 Dec. 1863; mustered 23 Dec. 1863; transferred to Company H, 8th Infantry 27 Jul 1865. (From obituary - he enlisted December 9, 1863, was a member of the 32nd Iowa Infantry, and saw service in the second brigade, third division, sixteenth Army Corps. He was honorably discharged December 29, 1865).

On November 21, 1872, in Adams Co., IA, he married Matilda Jane SMITH, daughter of Moses and Rachel (RATCLIFF) SMITH. He farmed, and they lived near Coming, IA, at Brooks in Adams County. Charles had diabetes. In 1905, they moved to Nebraska. He passed away in Juniata, Nebraska, on October 31, 1911, and is buried at the Oakdale Cemetery in Adams Co., IA.

The author is the gr-gr-granddaughter of Charles W. Benight.

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