William Kerley Strong

William Kerley Strong (1805–1867) was a merchant and a brigadier general during the American Civil War. He was the commander of Benton Barracks and the districts of Cairo and St. Louis. Strong was also a prominent Democrat, noted his pro-Union speeches.^[1]

William Kerley Strong
Born	(1805-04-30)April 30, 1805 Duanesburg, New York
Died	March 16, 1867(1867-03-16) (aged 61) New York
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch	Union Army
Years of service	1861–1863
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	District of Cairo District of St. Louis
Battles / wars	American Civil War
Spouse(s)	Helen Mary Hart
Children	John Lorimer
Other work	merchant

Biography

Strong was a wealthy wool merchant in New York.^[1] He was born on April 30, 1805, in Duanesburg, New York^[2] to Josiah Strong and Martha Green.^[3] Strong's father was an American Revolutionary War veteran who had fought in the Battle of Trenton under George Washington.^[3]

Strong was married to Helen Mary Hart and they had 9 children, among whom John Lorimer, and Helen Hart, spouse of Henry Piffard.

Strong built the Rose Hill Mansion in the Empire style popular during the Greek revival period.^[4]

In 1839, Strong was noted for constructing a sprawling grand mansion covering 11,634 feet of living space.^[5] The property called Rose Hill Mansion was given to Robert Swan in 1850.^[4] A contemporaneous newspaper report cited that the property, which was designated a national historic landmark, was sold to Swan's father, who gave it to him as a wedding present.^[6]

Strong died on March 16, 1867.^[7] He never recovered from his injuries after he was thrown out of his carriage.^[7]

Civil War

When the American Civil War began, Strong was travelling around Egypt. He helped the Union cause by securing weapons in France on his way home.^[1] An account cited that because of his pro-Union speeches, he gained the attention of Abraham Lincoln, who appointed him as brigadier general.^[1][7] He was not assigned to field duty but made commander of the Benton Barracks in Missouri.^[7] In 1862, he was appointed commander of the District of Cairo, Illinois, replacing General Eleazar A. Paine, who was reassigned for violating orders.^[8] Strong was sent to New York for an unknown mission before he was appointed the commander of the District of St. Louis from June to October 1863.^[1] He resigned his commission on October 20.

Strong was also appointed as the president of a commission that investigated the circumstances behind the evacuation of the Union forces in New Madrid, Missouri.^[7]

After the war, he settled in New York and started employing Black workers.