Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow (1816–1891) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow
Benjamin Stringfellow in an undated photograph
Missouri State Attorney General
In office 1845–1849
Preceded by	Samuel Mansfield Bay
Succeeded by	William A. Robards

Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow (born September 3, 1816 – died April 26, 1891) was an important person in American history. He was known for supporting slavery during a time when the United States was deeply divided over the issue.

He played a big role in the conflicts in Kansas in the 1850s. This period was called Bleeding Kansas. He also helped develop important railroads later in his life.

Early Life and Career

Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow was the youngest of ten children. He grew up in Virginia. His father was a soldier and a farmer.

He went to the University of Virginia to study law. In 1837, he became a lawyer in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1839, Stringfellow moved to Missouri. He continued to practice law there. He was even elected to the Missouri House of Representatives.

From 1845 to 1849, Stringfellow served as Missouri's Attorney General. This meant he was the state's chief lawyer.

Conflicts in Kansas

In 1853, Stringfellow moved to Weston, Missouri. This town was very close to Kansas. At this time, Kansas was deciding if it would allow slavery or not. This was a big debate in the country.

Stringfellow strongly believed in slavery. He worked with his brother, John, to support slavery in Kansas. They even started a newspaper called Squatter Sovereign. This paper promoted their views.

They wanted people who supported slavery to move to Kansas. They also encouraged Missourians to vote in Kansas elections. This was against the rules at the time. Stringfellow used his position as a General in the Missouri Militia to spread his ideas.

He believed that Missourians had the right to vote in Kansas. This led to many disagreements and conflicts. People on both sides of the slavery issue were very passionate.

Stringfellow was accused of confronting Kansas Territory Governor Andrew Horatio Reeder. This happened in 1855. The disagreement was about who had the right to vote in Kansas. This period was very tense. It led to many small fights and much bloodshed. These events are known as Bleeding Kansas. Many Missourians crossed the border to vote in Kansas elections.

Building Railroads

After Kansas became a free state in 1859, Stringfellow moved to Atchison. This town was named after his friend, David Rice Atchison.

Stringfellow continued to work as a lawyer. He also became very involved in building railroads. He helped create the Atchison and St. Joseph Railroad Company. He worked as the company's lawyer.

He also did legal work for other railroad companies. These included the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. He also worked for the Kansas and Western Missouri Railway Company.

During the Civil War, Stringfellow was too old to join the army. He focused on helping the area grow economically. He worked with Cyrus K. Holliday. Holliday had started the Atchison and Topeka Railway Company. This company later became the famous Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

Stringfellow and Holliday used their connections and money to build railroads. They connected their lines to the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. This was a huge step for travel and trade in the United States. Later, Topeka became an important stop for another transcontinental route. This route went all the way to Los Angeles.

Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow died on April 26, 1891, in Chicago, Illinois.