Historical Encylopedia of Illinois, 1901

STEPHENSON, (Dr.) Benjamin Franklin, physician and soldier, was born in Wayne County, Ill., Oct. 30, 1822, and accompanied his parents, in 1825, to Sangamon County, where the family settled. His early educational advantages were meager, and he did not study his profession (medicine) until after reaching his majority, graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1850. He began practice at Petersburg, but, in April, 1862, was mustered into the volunteer army as Surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. After a little over two years service he was mustered out in June, 1864, when he took up his residence in Springfield, and, for a year, was engaged in the drug business there. In 1865 he resumed professional practice. He lacked tenacity of purpose, however, was indifferent to money, and always willing to give his own services and orders for medicine to the poor. Hence, his practice was not lucrative. He was one of the leaders in the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic in connection with which he is most widely known; but his services in its cause failed to receive, during his lifetime, the recognition which they deserved, nor did the organization promptly flourish, as he had hoped. He finally returned with his family to Petersburg. Died, at Rock Creek, Menard County, Ill., August 30, 1871.

Contributed by Kim Torp

The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography
1910, James T. White & Company, New York
Page 111

Founder of the Grand Army of the Republic, was born in Wayne county, Ill., Oct. 3, 1823, son of James and Margaret (Clinton) Stephenson. The latter was a relative of Charles Carroll of Carrollton. In 1825 his parents removed to Sangamon county, Ill., where he grew to manhood. His opportunities for education were meager, but he early displayed a natural inclination for the study of medicine, which however, he was not able to satisfy until after reaching his majority. He then took up the study of the subject with his brother, Dr. William Stephenson of Mt. Pleasant, Ia., subsequently attending lectures at Columbus, O., and finishing at Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he was graduated M.D. in 1850. He was engaged in practice at Jacksonville, Ill., when the civil war broke out. He was elected surgeon of the 14th Illinois infantry and served with his regiment through an active campaign. Returning to Springfield, he secured an interest in the drug firm of D.K. Gold & Co., and one year later formed a partnership with Dr. G.T. Allen and Dr. James Hamilton in the practice of medicine. In January, 1866, he conceived the idea of a national society composed of honorably discharged union soldiers and sailors, whose motto should be fraternity, charity and loyalty. Early in February of that year he completed the manuscript of the ritual, rules and regulations (taken partially from that of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ League) and on Apr. 6, 1866, the anniversary of the battle of Shiloh, in which he and nearly all the charter members had participated, he mustered Post No. 1, of Decatur, department of Illinois, Grand Army of the Republic. Dr. Stephenson, from the first, pushed the new organization with great energy, and at the expense of much time and money fostered it to the point of standing alone. He was ably aided in the work of organization by Maj. Robert Mann Woods, Col. Daniel Grass and others. At the permanent organization of the department of Illinois, the first to be organized, Dr. Stephenson was made provisional commander-in-chief of the national order. Upon the permanent organization of the order, at the first national encampment held at Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 20, 1866, he was elected adjutant general. Gen. S.A. Hurlbut of Illinois, Dr. Stephenson’s old commander, was put in nomination for commander-in-chief by Dr. Stephenson, and was elected. At that encampment the following resolution was adopted: “Whereas, we, the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, recognize in Maj. B.F. Stephenson of Springfield, Ill., the head and front of the organization; be it therefore resolved that for the energy, loyalty and perseverance manifested in organizing the Grand Army of the Republic, he is entitled to the gratitude of all loyal men, and that we, as soldiers, tender him our thanks, and pledge him our friendship at all times, and under all circumstances.” But it was long before the organization prospered anywhere but in the West, and Maj. Stephenson’s dream of a great veteran army forming a potent influence in moulding and fostering public sentiment in favor of the defenders of the Union was not realized until after his death. Some time before this occurred, Maj. Stephenson removed his family to Rock Creek, near his old home at Petersburg, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was married at Springfield, Ill., Mar. 3, 1855, to Barbara B., daughter of Benjamin Moore, and had one son and two daughters. He died at Rock Creek, Menard co., Ill., Aug 30, 1871. His remains were later removed to Petersburg, with due ceremonies, and on July 4, 1909, a monument commemorating the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic was unveiled in Washington, D.C., which bears a bas-relief bust of Maj. Stephenson.

Contributed by Kristin Vaughn