Which America religious leader establish a monarchy on Beaver Island in Michigan in the U.S. in the mid 1800s?

James Strang (1813-1856) was an American religious leader, politician and self-appointed monarch who claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) as leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints movement. Strang testified that he had possession of a letter from Smith naming him as his successor.

Josph Smith had been murdered and Strang was a major contender for leadership of the Church during the 1844 succession crisis. When his claim was rejected, it split the Church membership and movement. Strang subsequently established an ecclesiastical monarchy on Beaver Island in the state of Michigan in the U.S. gaining 12,000 adherents at the time. During his 12 year tenure as Prophet, Seer and Revelatory, Strang reigned for six years as the crowned “King” on Beaver Island.

In addition to his ecclesiastical calling, Strang served one full term and part of a second as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. He was also at various times an attorney, educator, temperance lecturer, newspaper editor, Baptist minister, correspondent for the ‘New York Tribune’, and amateur scientist.

His survey of Beaver Island’s natural history was published by the Smithsonian Institution, remaining the definitive work on that subject for nearly a century.

Creating enemies along the way, he was assassinated by members who had been excommunicated. After his death, his enemies extinguished his kingdom on Beaver Island.