Benjamin S. Paulen

Benjamin Sanford "Ben" Paulen (* July 14, 1869 in DeWitt County, Illinois, † July 11, 1961 in Fredonia, Kansas ) was an American politician and from 1925 to 1929 the 23 Governor of the State of Kansas.

Early years and political rise

Even as a child came Paulen with his parents in the Wilson County, Kansas. He attended the local schools and later he worked for a year at the University of Kansas before he attended the Stratton Business College in St. Louis ( Missouri). After his training, he worked in his father's shop. He then became president of the Wilson County Bank; after that he was responsible for finance at the Kansas Life Insurance Company. Paulens political career began in 1900 with his election to the council of Fredonia. This mandate he retained until 1904. Was followed by a one-year term as mayor of this municipality, before he was elected in 1913 to the Senate of Kansas. There he remained until 1921. Between 1917 and 1921 he was also state oil inspector of Kansas. Finally, he was elected in 1922 to the Lieutenant Governor of Kansas. He officiated in that capacity 1923 until 1925. 1924 he was elected as a candidate of the Republican Party as the new governor of Kansas.

Governor of Kansas

Paulens term began on January 12, 1925 and ended after a successful re-election on 14 January 1929. During his time the fuel tax was introduced, the university administrations were reorganized, new school building was financed and built and sale of cigarettes was legalized and taxed. In addition, a new electoral law was passed and the Banking Committee reformed. In the household sector, a new accounting system was introduced ( Accounting and Budget System). Otherwise, Kansas benefited from the general upswing of the 1920s.

After the end of his term was Paulen president of the Kansas Bankers Association. He was a member of the nationwide Bankers Association. In 1932 he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. In 1939 he became chairman of the welfare committee of Kansas, and in 1957 he was a member of a committee to revise the constitution. Ben Paulen died in July 1961 at the age of 91 years. He was married to Barbara Ellis.