http://books.google.com/books?id=bZl4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=%22Dutton+Shannon%22+fallowfield+pa&source=bl&ots=TE-BHOp3m7&sig=8Pe3VMmlNbqp1UD_AkH8fMUUk-M&hl=en&ei=nLoXTq2-GdG_gQf7j6XzDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAw#v=snippet&q=cyrus%20underwood&f=false The old and new Monongahela, By John Stogdell Van Voorhis, 1893, Pittsburgh pg. 480 (From the Monongahela Republican) Col. Sam. B. Bentley Samuel Black, the first of this family in Washington Co. of whom there is any record, was b. in 1775 in County Down, Ireland. In 1791 he came to America, and in 1793 embarked in business as a trader at Parkison's Ferry. His oldest daughter was Elizabeth, who m. William Bentley, and her son was Samuel Black Bentley, who d. of appoplexy at his home in Monongahela City on Sabbath day morn, Oct. 29, 1893. Col. Samuel B. Bentley was b. in Monongahela City, Apr. 29, 1826, son of William and Elizabeth Bentley. He received a common school education. He joined the M.E. Church at the age of 17, and was a most devoted and a very loyal member. His fealty to the Methodist church was steadfast, it held first place always in his affections. He was a class leader, a Sunday school stuperintendent, a steward, and for nearly 40 years a choir leader. No society ever had a more devoted member - no one a more industrious or self-sacrificing adherent - and in his long life the Christian idea pervaded, and Bible morality controlled him. Mr. Bentley was twice married - to Miss Graham, Feb. 22, 1847, and after her death to Miss Rabe, Feb. 28, 1856, who survives him. Their children are Charles, Harry, Millie and Mary, who now mourn the loss of a father whose tenderness and watchful care are now a sacred memory. Col. Bentley was a patriot - he loved his country and its flag - he was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. That patriotism lead him in early life to join the military. He was a private in the old Monongahela Blues; was commissioned 1st Lt. in the Monongahela Artillery by the Governor in 1857; was commissioned Col. of the 7th Reg., Penn Militia, by Gov. Packer in 1858. When the war broke out he was commissioned by Gov. Curin Q-Master of the 140th Volunteers, and served throughout the war in that capacity a trusted and honorable career. When the war was ended Col. Bentley came home and has lived here since. The editor of this paper begs here to record an incident which mirrors the man. The story has been told before, but not printed. In one of the campaigns, I was sent by Gen. Crawford on an afternoon to find his ammunition train and bring it up to the command. Going through the wood on that errant, a small party was observed, and riding over to where it was assembled I heard the voice of S. B. Bentley saying, "Hold on, men; this will not do; ____ was too good a man to be buried without some sort of Christian ceremony." I pushed my horse through the pines, and was an onlooker while our friend and comrade, Bentley, led in a hymn, and then kneeling offered a prayer. My seeing this was purely accidental - we were in different wings of the army - but I can never forget it; the shallow grave, the yellow clay, the dead soldier, the interested and upturned faces of the blue coated kneeling comrades, the sad song of requiem, and the short but earnest prayer. Unfortunately the name of the dead officer is not now remembered, although Col. Bentley has frequently named him, and I understand his body was subsequently recovered and removed from its bed under the soughing pines where I had witnessed its weird and solemn funeral. This little story tells of our dead friend's tenderness, his piety and his respect for the dea. How often here at home we have all heard his voice at funerals, how willingly he responded to the sorrows of others. Col. Bentley was a member of the Masonic Order; was made a Mason in Beallsville Lodge, and became a charter member of Henry M. Phillips Lodge, No. 337, this city, when it was instituted, May 5, 1860, along with John Withrow, David Riddle, Shesh Bentley and A. J. Buffington. He was elected to councils in 1856, when H. D. Cooper was burgess. He was an Odd Fellow and a member of the Equitable Aid Union, which order will pay $1100 benefits to his family. In his death our town loses a prominent figure, always full of public spirit, always ready to help, always efficient. The church will feel his loss more, and his family most. When he is laid to rest and the grave shall have covered him, Monongahela will be bereft of a man whose life is a part of its history. The suddeness of his death is a reminder once more that "There is a reaper, Death. And with his sickle keen, He reaps the bearded grain at a breath."