Colonel Benjamin Stephenson and the History of Early Illinois (Saluki Publishing)

Rediscovering a forgotten Illinois founding father

In early 2024, the Director of the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House in Edwardsville, Illinois, discovered an unpublished manuscript among the files of Sidney G. Denny, a longtime Friends of the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House Board member who had passed away just months before. The manuscript compiled the materials from a decade’s worth of articles Denny had written for the House’s newsletter, the Spectator, on the history of the House, Benjamin Stephenson, and early Illinois—history that, without Denny, would have been lost to time.

Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, a founding father of both the city of Edwardsville and the state of Illinois, played a crucial role in the emergence of Illinois from a territory into the nation’s twenty-first state in 1818. Informed by a treasure trove of primary sources, Colonel Benjamin Stephenson and the History of Early Illinois traces Stephenson from his childhood in 18th-century Pennsylvania to his experiences on the Illinois frontier and, eventually, to his final residence, which is now a museum of his life and times in Edwardsville. The volume also provides a detailed chronicle that connects early Illinois history to the history of westward settlement and to the American Revolution itself.

Denny explores the rich history of Madison County and delves into the complexities of early Illinois and its pioneering leaders, weaving together the lives of various families to reveal the interconnected nature of early Illinois society. His meticulously researched work showcases how the impact of those early days is still visible today.

Sidney G. Denny (1940 – 2023) was co-author of The Ancient Splendor of Prehistoric Cahokia and professor emeritus of anthropology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Sid was president of the Faculty Senate in 1987. He also served as chair of several key University committees including one that transitioned the campus from a quarter to a semester system and one that consolidated schools into what is now the College of Arts and Sciences. Professionally an archaeologist, Sid was one of the first board members of the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society, president of the Illinois Archaeological Survey, and a member of the Illinois Department of Conservation Historic Sites Advisory Board. He always felt, however, that his most important job was teaching. He taught for more than 30 years, retiring in 2000.

Sid’s extensive research into the history of the 1820 Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, probate records, and the Stephenson family was a significant contribution to the mission of the House and the success of the hands-on, living history museum that it is today. His knowledge of history and the site was unsurpassed. A long-time supporter and volunteer, Sid served on the Friends of the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House Board, organized archeological digs on site, gave lectures, acted as a historical interpreter, and cochaired the 50/50 Antique and Collectible Auction for more than 20 years.

Sid grew up in Union, Missouri, working summers on the family farm, hunting, fishing, and exploring the banks of the nearby Meramec River. He had a lifelong interest in archaeology, history, and antiques, and he displayed his Ozark roots as an accomplished storyteller. Sid lived in Edwardsville, Illinois, with his wife and three daughters.