David Benton, born in South Carolina in 1779 and died in Benton County, Tennessee, in 1860, was a citizen soldier, served in the War of 1812, and was a member of Benton County's first quarterly court in February 1836. He was the patriot for whom Benton County was named. George Camp Sr., Green Flowers, Ephraim Perkins, Lewis Brewer, and John F. Johnston were commissioners appointed by the legislature to organize Benton County, and they met for this purpose on February 7, 1836.