A state legislative act dated February 7, 1835, created two counties in this area, Newton and Jasper. The county governments were not created at that time and the counties were attached to White County for administrative purposes. The Jasper County organization was effected beginning March 15, 1838. On February 18, 1840, the county of Benton was formed from Jasper's area. It was named for Thomas H. Benton (D), U.S. Senator from Missouri. The original county seat selected in 1843 was Oxford, but after a long struggle between contending factions it was moved to Fowler in 1874.
A state legislative act dated February 7, 1835, created two counties in this area, Newton and Jasper. The county government,s were not created at that time and the counties were attached to White County for administrative purposes The Jasper County organization was effected beginning March 15, 1838. On February. 18, 1840, the county of Benton .was formed from Jasper's area. It was named for Thomas H. Benton (D) U.S. Senator from Missouri The original county seat selected in 1843 was Oxford, but after a long struggle between contending factions it was moved to Fowler in 1874.