The following information was extracted from papers in the pension files filed by the parents of John W. Slavens, then of Montgomery County, Indiana.
John W. Slavens, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Farrow) Slavens, enlisted in Company E, 72nd Indiana Infantry, on July 25, 1862, at Linden, Montgomery County, Indiana, and mustered in on August 15. His residence was Pleasant Hill (now Wingate), Montgomery County. He died November 20, 1862, of consumption contracted while in the service at New Albany, Indiana, "but was taken with typhoid fever."
Elizabeth Slavens filed for a dependent's pension on March 1, 1878, in Polk County, Iowa. She was 64 years of age and her address was Ridgedale (now Johnston), Polk County. It should be noted that her name is spelled "Elisabeth" throughout the document... however, the surname is also spelled "Slavins" throughout so the petition cannot be counted upon as an accurate source for the spelling of her name. She signed the document by making her mark.
Benjamin Slavens filed for a dependent's pension on June 20, 1883, in Jackson County, Missouri. The petition states that at the time of John's death, he had two brothers under the age of sixteen-- Harvey (James H.) born October 11, 1852, and Joseph, born April 10, 1856. John left no widow or children at the time of his death. Benjamin and Elizabeth were married on July 23, 1833, at Danville, Hendricks County, Indiana, by Minister of the Gospel Andrew Prayther; Elizabeth died June 15, 1882, at Des Moines, Iowa. Benjamin stated that he was wholly dependent on John for support. Benjamin was 77 years of age and signed the application by making his mark.
Benjamin was receiving a pension of $8 a month at the time of his death, between May 15 and September 18, 1885.
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