Bennie Dyer was one of the most respected and beloved teachers in Knott County, devoting over 40 years of education service here. Bennie Dyer was born Jan. 1, 1905, at Leburn Knott County, Ky.,  the son of Bolen g. Dyer and Clarinda Dyer, and one of 11 children, two boys and nine girls.

Mr. Dyer began teaching in Knott County after receiving his certificate when he passed the required county exams.  He returned to school, graduating from Caney Junior College in1930.  He taught during the school year and went to the Caney school in the summer months.

Mr. Dyer's first school was in Lower Ball Creek, and he also taught in Upper Jo9nes Fork (Larkslane), head of Troublesome (Garner) and Upper Mill Creek in Leburn.  His transportation in the early days was a black horse named Bob.
There were very few roads and cars when he started his teaching career.

He then went back to school for one year at Eastern State Teachers College, now Eastern Kentucky University.  He then decided to go to Morehead State College, now MSU.  He graduated there, and also  met the girl who would be his wife, Hazel  Tackett.  They were married shortly after his graduation from college.  The had three children, one boy and two girls.  They both taught school and sent their three children through college to become teachers.

He and his wife taught school at Upper Mill Creek for a while, then Bennie went to the old Hindman grade school and taught for several years.  When the new Hindman Elementary School was built, Bennie became principal of it.  There he ended his teaching career, and retired in 1975, after 47 years of teaching.

Bennie Dyer was a highly respected and well-thought-of man, both in the school system and the community.  He enjoyed being with children and played marbles with the students in the old days.  He would get children and take them to the mouth of Ball Creek in Perry County to go in swimming.  That was on the days when there was very little motor transportation.                                              

He knew a lot of riddles and enjoyed getting children to try and solve them. he was a deputy clerk under county clerk John Sturgill.  He did a lot of work for people in the community without pay.  He wrote deeds, filled out income taxes, etc. People had him to figure out how many  bushels of corn their sleds would hold when they were selling by the bushel.

He interrupted his teaching career during world War II for a very short time, doing defense work.  He was soon back to teaching.        

One person nominating Mr. Dyer for the Knott Hall of Fame wrote, "He taught us all the value of education, high morals and honesty." Another individual wrote, "I'm sure I would never have had the inspiration to attain a college education had it not been for the great confidence Bennie gave me in those early years.  He never hesitated to help a poor student buy glasses, books, or any necessity that might
help keep them in school."

Corbett Mullins
May 9, 2003