Benton County Formed In 1837, Shows Steady Growth Thru Years By Alvin Seamster From "The Benton County Democrat - (1950) Now the NWA Democrat Gazette -The Century of Progrss Edition
Arkansas was included in the Louisana Purchase from France in an agreement and treaty on October 31, 1803. In 1805, President Jefferson appointed Gen. James Wilkerson governor of the Louisiana Territory. A Teeitorial Legislature, composed of the Govenor and Terriorial Judges, was convened at St. Louis, June 26, 1806, and created the District of Arkansas. This embraced nearly all of the present Arkansas and most of Oklahoma. Capt. Meriweather Lewis was appointed Govenor in March, 1807, but died in 1809 and was succeeded by Ben A. Howard , of Kentucky. It was during this time, 1811 to '12, that the New Madrid earthquake struck northeast part of the state and nearly completely destroyed New Madrid, and leaving great sunken beds and overflow lands.
Congress changed the name of Louisiana Territory to Missouri Territoy on June 4, 1812, and October 12, 1812, Governor Howard issued a proclamation changing the five districts of Missouri into counties. Arkansas Post was the county seat of Arkansas and the seat of govenment for Arkansas until 1819. It was on the 20th day of November, 1819, that William E. Woodruff published the first issue of the Arkansas Gazette.
From 1831 to 1836, there was a petition before congress to admit Arkansas to the union. During the same time Michigan was also seeking admission and it was due to this fact that we were admitted at the same time, as one was free and the other permitted to own or not own slaves.
It was only through the good will that we were admitted at that time; also the great debating power of Thomas Benton (who Bentonville and Benton County was named for) and the timely editorials of General Albert Pike.
On June 15, 1836, Prsident Jackson signed the bill admitting Arkansas to the union, it being the 25th star of the U.S.A.