Stephen Benton Elkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Benton Elkins
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Stephen Benton Elkins between 1865 and 1880
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| United States Senator from West Virginia |
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| In office March 4, 1895 – January 4, 1911 |
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| Preceded by | Johnson N. Camden |
| Succeeded by | Davis Elkins |
| 38th United States Secretary of War | |
| In office December 17, 1891 – March 5, 1893 |
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| President | Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | Redfield Proctor |
| Succeeded by | Daniel S. Lamont |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's at-large district |
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| In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1877 Delegate |
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| Preceded by | José Manuel Gallegos |
| Succeeded by | Trinidad Romero |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Stephen Benton Elkins
September 26, 1841 New Lexington, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 1911 (aged 69) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Sarah Jacobs Hallie Davis |
| Education | Masonic College University of Missouri, Columbia (BA) |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States• Union |
| Branch/service |  United States Army• Union Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Stephen Benton Elkins (born September 26, 1841 – died January 4, 1911) was an important American businessman and politician. He served as the Secretary of War for the United States from 1891 to 1893. He also represented the Territory of New Mexico in the U.S. Congress and later became a Senator for West Virginia.
Contents
About Stephen Benton Elkins
Early Life and Education
Stephen Benton Elkins was born on September 26, 1841, in Ohio. His family moved to Westport, Missouri, in the mid-1840s. His parents were Philip Duncan Elkins and Sarah Pickett Withers. Stephen went to Masonic College in Missouri in the 1850s. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1860. After college, he worked as a teacher for a short time. One of his students was Cole Younger, who later became a famous outlaw.
Service in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Stephen Elkins joined the Union Army. This was different from his father and brother, who joined the Confederate Army. Before joining, he met a group called Quantrill's Raiders twice. He was not harmed because of his family's connections.
Elkins became a captain in the 77th Missouri Infantry. He only fought in one battle, the Battle of Lone Jack. He said this experience made him dislike war. He was lucky to be protected by Quantrill's group, but he also feared them.
After the war, Elkins and a man named Foster supported a pardon for Cole Younger. Younger had saved Foster during the Battle of Lone Jack.
Moving to New Mexico
After the war, Elkins began practicing law in Mesilla, New Mexico. He was elected to the local legislature in 1864 and 1865. From 1866 to 1867, he worked as a district attorney. On June 10, 1866, he married his first wife, Sarah Simms Jacobs.
In 1867, Elkins became the Attorney General for the territory. Later, he was a U.S. district attorney from 1867 to 1870. In 1872, he was elected to represent New Mexico in the U.S. Congress. He served from March 4, 1873, to March 4, 1877. In 1875, he married his second wife, Hallie Davis.
Elkins also had many business interests. He started and led the Santa Fe National Bank. He was involved in land, railroads, mining, and finance. He was also president of the large Maxwell Land Grant Company. He worked with his brother-in-law, Thomas B. Catron, in land deals. They were known for their influence in New Mexico's land development.
Life in West Virginia
In 1875, Elkins married Hallie Davis. Her father was Senator Henry G. Davis of West Virginia. In 1878, Stephen Elkins moved to West Virginia. He began working with his father-in-law to develop oil, coal, and timber businesses. They created the Davis Coal and Coke Company together.
Stephen and Hallie built their home, Halliehurst, in Randolph County. The town of Elkins was founded nearby. The house was designed by architect Charles T. Mott. Halliehurst was later given to Davis and Elkins College by Stephen's widow. It is now part of the college campus. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Secretary of War Role
Elkins served as the Secretary of War under President Benjamin Harrison. He held this position from December 17, 1891, to March 5, 1893. As Secretary, he wanted to bring back the rank of lieutenant general. He also aimed to give noncommissioned officers higher pay to improve military service. He also expanded the intelligence work of the Division of Military Information.
Serving as a U.S. Senator
After being Secretary of War, Elkins was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1895. He represented the state of West Virginia and was re-elected twice. In the Senate, he led the United States Senate Committee on the Geological Survey for some time. He was also a member of the United States Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce. Elkins served as a Senator until he passed away in Washington, D.C., in 1911. He is buried in Maplewood Cemetery in Elkins, West Virginia.
Legacy
The city of Elkins, West Virginia, is named after Stephen Benton Elkins.
See also
Template:Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stephen Benton Elkins para niños
- Davis & Elkins College, in Elkins, WV; named for Senators Elkins and Davis
- Halliehurst or Senator Stephen Benton Elkins House
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)
