Jacob C. Benner was born on a farm southwest of Central City, Nebraska on December 18, 1882 to Lewis and Anna (Hilton) Benner. He died January 20, 1969.
On June 28, 1916, he married Jennie L. Gaw. They were the parents of two children, Alice Hoback and Charles Benner. Mrs. Benner died in March 1948.
He farmed until the early 1950s when his son took over the farming operation. Mr. Benner moved into Central City in 1957 where he lived until his death.
He attended District #48 School. He had five sisters: Mary Cox, Gertrude Bowers, Lena, Margaret, and Ester Benner.
In 1976, the Benner farm was given the Ak Sar Ben Award for being in the family for 100 years. Charles bought the Kate Smith farm and also the Hilton Homestead in 1973.
Submitted by Doris Benner
Source: Merrick County Historical Society, History of Merrick County, Nebraska (1981), Volume I, Dallas, Texas : Taylor Publishing Company, 1981.