Stephen G. Wentworth (1811–1897) was the founder of Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri. Stephen Girard Wentworth was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on October 10, 1811, a descendant of "Elder" William Wentworth. He left home at an early age and decided to seek his fortunes in the West. After a short stint in Virginia, he emigrated to Saline County, Missouri, near Brownsville, today known as Sweet Springs. In 1838, he married Miss Eliza Jane Kincaid of Union, Virginia. They lived in Sweet Springs until 1840, then moved to Lexington where he soon became involved in a number of entrepreneurial and public pursuits. From 1851 to 1864, he served as public administrator of Lafayette County. In 1862 he became a partner in the Exchange and Banking House of Alexander Mitchell &