Whitehurst, Stephen S.

Born: 1827-05-18 Kentucky

Died: 1875-05-19 Springfield, Illinois

Flourished: Springfield, Illinois

Stephen S. Whitehurst was a newspaper publisher, circuit court clerk, and attorney. A resident of Springfield, Illinois, from childhood, Whitehurst learned the printing trade and became a newspaper printer and proprietor. From 1848 to 1851, he partnered with George G. Goudy to publish the Illinois Organ in Chester, Illinois. Around 1849, Whitehurst and Benjamin J. F. Hanna purchased the Chester Herald. A Whig in political affiliation, Whitehurst represented Randolph County at the Illinois State Whig Convention in July 1852. He edited and published the Chester Herald alongside Hanna until his retirement in September 1852. Whitehurst served as clerk of the Circuit Court of Sangamon County from 1860 to 1864. The next year, 1865, Whitehurst was partners with James H. Matheny in the law firm of Matheny & Whitehurst.

Whitehurst married Maria C. J. Matheny on June 12, 1849 in Sangamon County, Illinois, and the couple had at least six children. During 1864, the Whitehursts lost two children, including a one-year-old son who died in an accident.

Franklin William Scott, Newspapers and Periodicals of Illinois, 1814-1879, vol. 6 of Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1910), 51, 323; U.S. Census Office, Ninth Census of the United States (1870), Springfield, Sangamon County, IL, 263; Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 9 July 1852, 2:2; 16 September 1852, 3:1; Illinois Daily State Journal (Springfield), 11 June 1860, 3:3; 12 November 1860, 2:1; 25 April 1864, 3:3; 26 November 1864, 3:4; 4 April 1865, 3:5; 20 May 1875, 4:1; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Sangamon County, 12 June 1849, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Gravestone, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, IL.