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John S. Stephenson Hon John S. Stephenson, deceased, an honored pioneer of Henry county, Iowa, of 1836, was born in Virginia, in the old block house at the fort, on the site of the city of Parksburg, now West Virginia, when the Northwest Territory was ceded by Virginia to the United States. His birth occurred April 11, 1800, while his parents were temporarily seeking shelter at the fort from a threatened Indian attack. Their home properly was in Wood County, Va., to which they returned soon after the birth of our subject. His parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Dilts) Stephenson, were worthy people of Scottish birth, and had emigrated to America in the first years of the Republic. John S. was educated at Parkersburg, Va. he was a farmer by occupation, and was married in Dearborn, County, Ind., in 1821, to Miss Elizabeth Archibald, daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Archibald. Mrs. Stephenson was born in Massachusetts, Oct. 28, 1801, and died in New London, Iowa, April 7, 1887. Mr. Stephenson removed to Dearborn County, Ind., from Virginia, while a single man, but resided in Hamilton County, Ohio, from the date of his marriage til 1836, when he emigrated from that county to Henry County, Iowa, and settle in what is now Baltimore Township, on what is now known as the Britton farm. Three years later her removed to Jackson Township, in the same county, where he bought a large tract of land, and was engaged in farming till 1857, then removed to the village of Lowell, Baltimore township, where he had established a general store several years before. He also had a store at Boylston, which he left in the care of his sons. Mrs. and Mrs. Stephenson's family consisted of five sons and two daughters: William A., born Nov. 5, 1823, and died Jan. 26, 1844; Edmund J. was born Oct 2, 1826, went to California in 1849, and died at new Orleans, La., on his return voyage, May 2, 1854; Edward H. was born April 27, 1829, married Permelia Smith, and is engaged in the drug business at New London. (See his sketch elsewhere in this work). Alva H. was born March 7, 1831, and married Nellie Kearns, and died April 29, 1885; his wife survives him, and resides in Memphis, Tenn. John S. was born Oct 2, 1834, and married Anna Price, and is a farmer of Pleasant Ridge Township, Lee Co., Iowa; Sarah E., born Sept. 9, 1838, is the wife of Charles Kirkpatrick, of Lowell, Henry Co., Iowa; Mary Eliza, born Oct. 2, 1841, is the wife of William Jackman, and resides in the New London, Iowa. When Mr. Stephenson settle in Jackson Township he purchased a claim on which he built a double-room log cabin, and named his place "Hard-scrabble," where he kept open house after the whole-souled, hospitable manner of the Virginians. He was known far and near, and every stranger or belated traveler who sought shelter with him was sure of a warm welcome, and the best the house afforded. Mr. Stephenson was a man of very superior mental endowments, a thorough scholar, and a great student of history and political economy. He soon became prominent in public affairs, and was elected Register of Land Claims in this part of the country, and Notary Public, and was one of the first Justices of the country, and held that position for several years. He was chosen to represent his district in the State Senate, and was influential in framing laws for the young commonwealth of Iowa. In early life he was a Whig of the pro-slavery type, and on the dissolution of his party in 1856 attached himself to the Democratic party, of which he was an ardent supporter till the day of his death. While bitterly opposed to the policy of the Republican party, during the war he was true to the Union, and the Constitution as made by the fathers of the Republic. His fund of general information was comprehensive and varied, while his affable, courteous manner and entertaining conversation made him an agreeable host and a welcome guest. His generosity was unbounded; no one ever asked in vain a favor within his power to grant. His brother Edward was a gentleman of marked ability, and thorough culture, a great linguist, and a prominent lawyer of Virginia. His death occurred at Matamoras, Mex., April 11, 1870. Another brother, James was born in Virginia, in 1791, and was a prominent and wealthy attorney of Wood County, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson were members of the Presbyterian church from early life until its close. Mr. Stephenson continued to reside at Lowell until the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. His memory will long remain fresh in the hearts of his numerous friends.
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