BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GARST, farmer, etc., section 11, is the owner of 300 acres of land. He was born in Washington County, Tennessee, April 3, 1847. He was deprived of school opportunities when young, but by self application has become one of the best posted men in the neighborhood. He came to this county with his brother Fred in i860, and in 1864 and 1865 they went to Wyoming, where, by hard work, he secured sufficient money to enable him to make a start. They returned to this county and township, where they bought their first land, which they improved. Mr. Garst has been one of the most fortunate young farmers in the township. His additions, from time to time, with most excellent improvements upon them, together with his dwelling and surroundings, renders his place one of the most desirable. He married Miss Arminta Hackett, September 10, 1868. She is the daughter of S. H. Hackett. They have four children : William Tell, John Barton, Josephine and Jesse Oden. Mr. Garst, on commencing business life, rented a farm, secured a crop of corn, which he husked and cribbed, but it was set on fire and burned up by an incendiary. This left him in debt for the rent, but since that time his success has been remarkable. He is a Democrat and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.