Hampton, the county seat of Franklin county, was laid out in June, 1856, being first called Benjamin. The idea was to give distinctive honor to Benjamin Franklin by bestowing his full name on town and county. It is very slightly northeast of the exact geographical center of the county.

The first settlers in the town were James Thompson, A.J. Cannam, Obadiah Smith, James T. McCormick and George Beed, in 1856.

Among other early settlers were John Garner and Geo. Ryan, who each donated to the county the undivided half of eighty acres of land to secure the location of the county seat at Hampton.

Other early newcomers were Dr. J.A. Guthrie, R.F. Piatt, Chauncey Gillett and the Beed brothers.

Hampton, at the time of the census of 1900, had a population of 2,727. It has a fine system of water works, complete sewerage system, fire department, electric lights, a beautiful public park, fine court house, four banks, three weekly newspapers, excellent schools, the leading church organizations and some very fine church buildings. Farir grounds with good buildings and high grade stock farms are in close proximity.

~Source: Iowa State Atlas - 1904, Counties of Iowa — Descriptive and Historical; Huebinger and Company, 1904; Franklin County, pg 353