Legislator Details
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Number of Children: 0
Background
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Biographical Sketch:
Known as King Strang. As a young man he practiced law in Mayville, NY and edited a newspaper in Randolph, NY. He was baptized and ordained by John Smith in 1844, but was excommunicated after Smith's death for forging a letter giving him power. He founded a colony in Spring Prairie, WI,'found' revelatory items in the river and translated them to make himself prophet, priest and king. He landed on Beaver Island with 4 followers, in May 1847 to establish a Mormon colony. By 1850, 2000 Mormons called it home. Circumstances of his death: Two disgruntled followers ambushed Strang, shooting him multiple times and pistol whipping him before fleeing to the U.S.S. Michigan and asking for refuge. The captain of the ship granted their request and took them to Mackinac Island. Strang was seriously wounded but lived long enough to be transported back to the Wisconsin unincorporated Mormon community of Voree [which was in the town limits of Spring Prairie] on June 28, where he died on July 9, 1856. He was originally buried in Voree but was later relocated to Burlington.
Notable Facts:
Murdered 7/1856 on Beaver Island. Practiced multiple marriage.
Portrait available in "History of Michigan" by Charles Moore [1915, p.375]