Mortimer Murrey Benton

Mortimer Murrey Benton was an American lawyer and politician who served as the first mayor of Covington, Kentucky.

Biography

Benton was born in Benton, New York, and was educated at private schools. In 1817 he moved with his father's family to Franklin County, Indiana, and then in 1827 moved to Cincinnati, where he become a store clerk and studied law. Around 1828 he moved to Covington, Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar in 1831. He married Angeline Clemons on March 10, 1832. In 1834 Benton become the first mayor of Covington, and later represented Kenton County in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1863 to 1865. He died in 1885 at his home in Covington.