William Becknell was born in Amherst County, Virginia, married Jane Trussler in 1807, and moved to St. Charles in 1810. During the War of 1812 he joined Daniel Morgan Boone's company of U.S. mounted rangers, later took part in Major Zachary Taylor's campaign in the battle of Credit Island in present-day Davenport, Iowa, and in 1815 commanded the defense of Fort Clemson, Missouri. After the war he moved to the Boonslick and worked in freighting, ferrying, and the salt trade. After his wife died, leaving three children, business failures left him deeply in debt. About 1814 he married Mary Cribbs, and they had six children. After an unsuccessful run for the Missouri House of Representatives and while facing the possibility of debtor's prison, he began organizing an expedition to the Rockies to trade for mules and horses and to capture wild animals. The caravan left Franklin on September 1, 1821, but because of short supplies, unfriendly Indians, storms, raging rivers, impassable mountains, and news that the Treaty of Cordoba recognized Mexico's independence from Spain, the expedition changed its destination to Santa Fe, a decision that proved immensely profitable. Becknell paid off his debts, organized two more expeditions, and in 1825-26 took part in the federal project to grade and mark the Santa Fe Trail. His success continued as a Saline County justice of the peace, a two-term Missouri legislator, and a militia commander in the Black Hawk War. In 1835 he moved to Red River County, Texas, to farm, and there he served as a legislator and elections supervisor. His expedition later led to his recognition as the Father of the Santa Fe Trail. He is buried near Bagwell, Texas, and his wife's will provided this epitaph for his tombstone: “He whose merits deserve a Temple, can scarce find a Tomb.”