From "Memorial and Genealogical Record of Southwest Texas (Chicago: Goodspeed Brothers, 1894, pg. 262 & 263):

BENJAMIN T. PALMER. If elections to positions of trust and honor are a criterion by which a man's popularity is gauged, then Benjamin T. PALMER enjoys to an unusual degree the esteem of his fellow men. A native of Pickens County, Ala., he was born July 17, 1832, the eldest of five children born to Joseph D. and Mary (BECKWITH) PALMER, who were natives of the Palmetto State, but who were married in Alabama and moved to Lafayette County in 1836, to Oxford, Miss., in 1840, and in January, 1850, to Chickasaw County, of the same State. Joseph became remarkably well known as a successful medical practitioner, and on the 19th of June, 1869, was called from life. His widow Mary survives him at the age of 82 years, and makes her home with the subject of this sketch.

The early educational advantages of Benjamin T. PALMER were limited, and his earliest pursuit was that of a clerk in Mississippi. In March, 1862, he entered the Confederate army, Company H, 31st Mississippi Regiment, but owing to ill-health was at once discharged. He soon after re-enlisted and became a clerk in the Quartermaster's Department under Capt. Owen, who was the Post Quartermaster at Lauderdale Springs, Miss. He was then transferred to Capt. Kennedy's department, Post Commissary at West Point, and here he acted as purchasing agent for a division until the war closed.

Upon returning home he engaged in merchandising and farming, and became part owner in a good steam mill. After a time he became bookkeeper for a firm in West Point and filled the position ably and acceptable up to 1873, when he came to San Marcos, Texas, moved to Travis County a short time after, and at the end of one year to Caldwell County, and began farming in the vicinity of Lytton Springs. In November, 1880, he was elected Clerk of the District Court of Caldwell County and has been successively re-elected to this position ever since, a fact which speaks eloquently as to his popularity and efficiency.

In 1893 he erected and opened the PALMER Hotel, one of the best hostelries in the place, and it has already become popular with the traveling public, and also has a large home patronage. He was first married Oct. 7, 1856, to Miss Fannie CLIETT, a native of Alabama, who died April 2, 1884, leaving nine children, all of whom are still living.

His second union was consummated Oct. 21, 1884, and was to Mrs. F. C. (PULLIAN) RHODES, a native of Missouri, by whom he has one child. Mr. Palmer is a Deacon in the Baptist Church, has been quite active in the same, and was elected Clerk of the San Marcos Baptist Association in 1880. In 1884, he was elected Moderator of the Association, and has since held that office, with the exception of one year. He is a Royal Arch Mason of Lockhart Lodge No. 690, Luling Royal Arch Chapter No. 196, has been King of the Chapter and Master of his lodge for years. He was made a Mason in Mississippi in 1856, became a member of the Chapter in that State soon after, was Master of the lodge there, and was High Priest of the West Point Chapter.