The Stephens Families of Clinton County, Ohio

OBADIAH STEPHENS, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Morris County, N. J., April 22, 1813. He is the son of Ebenezer and Maria (Phoenix) Stephens, natives.of New Jersey, of English and German descent. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and his father in the war of 1812. Our subject’s sole education was obtained from Webster’s spelling book, studied in the little log schoolhouse of early days. In early childhood he manifested wonderful energy and bravery and these characteristics followed him through life. He takes pleasure in relating the following incident of his school days: During his early school days, the larger boys carried a fire-stick into the school-room one day, and when the stick had burned partially through they were vainly endeavoring to break it in order that it might be put into the old fire-place, little Obadiah seeing their efforts were fruitless rose from his seat, ran to the fire-place and jumping on the fire-stick succeeded in breaking it to the satisfaction of the larger boys. He then walked complacently to his seat and was at once recalled by the teacher and, fearing a flogging which lie knew would bo severe from that teacher, ho reluctantly went to the teacher’s desk. Instead of punishing him for his breach of discipline, the teacher took a bottle of whisky from his desk and gave the youth a drink, thus showing His approval of the lad’s efforts. Mr. Stephen’s father was a millwright by trade and occupied himself also in farming. Our subject followed farming for a time and subsequently operated a distillery, the latter proving very successful. He purchased 10Q acres where he now lives, and by dint of great industry he has added to it from time to time until he now owns 430 acres. He came to Clinton County in 1847. On April 13, 1837, he married in Warren County Susannah Ireland. She was a native of Frederick County, Virginia, of Scotch-English descent. They were blessed with four children, viz., Ann Eliza, Emeline, Frances I. and John. Mr. S. is a prominent member of the Odd Fellow fraternity and of the Democratic party. His paternal grandmother was a native of Wales, and lived to reach ninety-seven years of age, when she received a fall which resulted in her death. She left 144 descendants at her death. Previous to her death she was enabled to say to her daughter: “Daughter, arise and go to thy daughter, for thy daughter’s daughter has a son.” Thus it will be seen that she was the first of five generations then living.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANK STEPHENS, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Warren County. Ohio. June 30, 1842. He is the son of Obaaiah and Susannah (Ireland) Stephens, He received his education in the common schools, and those the occupation of farming which he still follows. He was married in 1867, to Sarah Gallaher, a native of Clinton County, and a daughter of an early Ohio settler. By this marriage four children were born, viz.: Charles M., Minnie May, John Hawev and Edwin Forrest. Mr. Stephens is a prominent Democrat and a* successful farmer.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

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John Stephens was born on March 31, 1840, near Waynesvllle, Ohio, and died on May 2. 1!)14. He was the son of Obndinh and Susannah (Ireland) Stephens.

Obadiah Stephens was a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Clinton county, who was born in Morris county. New Jersey, April 22. 1813. He was the son of Ebeuezer and Maria (Phoenix) Stephens, natives of New Jersey and of English and German descent. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and 'his father In the War of 1*12. Ebenezer Stephens was a millwright by trade and also a farmer. His sun was a farmer and later a distiller. At the time of his death, he owned about four hundred and fifty acres In Clinton county. Obadlab Stephens came to Clinton county in 1847. On April 13, 183". he was married In Warren county to Susanna Ireland. She was a unlike of Frederick county. Virginia, the daughter of Francis and Sarah 1 Curl) Ireland, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation and who located In Warren county In 1 >*1." on a farm of sixty acres, where he lived until his death In November. 1817. and the latter of whom was also a native of the Old Dominion. Francis and Sarah (Curl) Ireland had six children: Thomas J., Lucinda, Susannah, John C, Artlmesla and James M.

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John Stephen* received the rudiments of an education In the public schools of 1 11 Ion township at Hurtoiivllle. He lived with his father and mother until his marriage, and In 1870 his father built another house for his son on the same farm and near the public highway. There he lived and assisted In the Oierallons ()f the farm until his parents' deaths. Afterwards he moved Into the large old homestead where he lived until his death. At the death of his father and mother, he received as his Inheritance the homestead farm In partnership with his unmarried sister, Emmellne. Mrs. John Stephens still lives on the farm and continues Its management. Altogether the farm now comprises two hundred and thirty-one acres of land.

On March 2. 1s7C. John Stephens was married to Alwilda MeKenzle. who was born in Henry county. Iowa, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Morton) MeKenzle. both of whom were natives of Clinton county, born near New Antloch. the former of whom died In loT, at the ace of thirty-three ami the latter of whom Is still living at the age of seventy-seven.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY STEPHENS, farmer, P. O. Port William, is a son of David Stephens, who was by birth a Virginian, born April 14, 1806. At an early age, his parents moved to Clinton County, Ohio, where the latter died at advanced age. after enduring the privations of pioneer life, and David was reared amid the unbroken forest, which he assisted in clearing away, and opening up the fertile fields that now lie in the limits of Liberty Township. His enthusiastic and persevering nature carried him through many pioneer hardships, which could only be properly related by the 'pioneers themselves. About 1827, he married Catherine.Shields and settled on the farm now occupied by our subject, where he remained as a farmer until shortly before his death, April 3, 1881, when he located in Port William. Catherine was born in Clinton County May 22, 1810, and preceded her husband to the eternal home a period of five years. Henry, whose name appears above, is one of a family of ten children, six daughters and four sons, of whom the former are all dead and the latter all survive. Of the sons, Henry is the third, and was born in 1839 on the farm where he now lives. He was raised a miller of the soil, and is such still. On October 30, 1861, he married Mary E. McDonnan, with whom he had eleven children, of whom six now survive. Mrs. Stephens is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born June 20, 1844.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Dennis Stephens, who now owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres in Liberty township, and who is prominent in the educational affairs of Clinton county, was born on April 10. 18GS, in Greene county. Ohio, the son of Lewis A. and Catherine < McDorinan) Stephens, the former of whom was born in 1844. In Highland county. Ohio, and the latter in Clinton county, the daughter of Rlsdon and Tacy McDorman. natives of Virginia, who settled lu Clinton county after their marriage, and here owned a small farm. They were members of the Methodist Protestant church.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Stephens were residents of Highland county. Ohio. John Stephens, the paternal grandfather, was born in Highland county, and lived in that county all his life. He was a large landholder, owning approximately five hundred acres, altogether. By his first wife he had seven children. Lewis A.. Casper, Curren, John, Elizabeth. Julia and Mary. By his second wife there were two children, William and Charles. The great-grandfather was John Stephens, a native of Virginia, who came on horseback to Ohio and located in Highland county, where he owned a large tract of land. He had five sons.

The late Lewis A. Stephens was educated in the common schools, and served valiantly as a I'nion soldier during the Civil War. a member of Coiniainy M. Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, serving two years and eight months. Later he became active in public affairs In this county and was a prominent member in the Friends church. He died on June 30. 1880, and his widow survived him until June 12, 1804. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Nellie died at the age of eighteen, Clarence at the nge of seven and Roscoe at the age of eighteen months. The living children are W. O.. Dennis, the subject of thin sketch. VI vie and Webster, all of whom are married except W. O. Vlvle. who Is a resident of Xenia. Ohio, married Harry Hlgglns, and had one child, Edward Lewis.

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John B. Wical is a successful farmer and public-spirited man of affairs of Wilson township, this county, who was born on April 0, 1S*>0, in Mercer county. Ohio, the son of Jonah and Periuella (Hendersony Wical, the former of whom was born In (Jreeue county.' Ohio, and the latter In Mercer county, the daughter of Busbrod Henderson, who was a farmer in that county.

The paternal grandpa rent* of Jobu B. Wical were George and Hattie (Ogdon) Wical. natives of Greene county, Ohio, but who lived near the Clinton county line. George and Hattie (Ogdeti) Wical were pioneer farmers of this section. They had eight children. John, Jonah. Michael, Jane, Ann, Emily. Isaliel and Eliza.

Jonah Wical received a common school education and fanned seventy-five acres of land in Wilson township. He and his wife are still living. They are the parents of nine children, of whom John B. is the eldest, the others being Mary, William. Clem, Peter, Elizabeth. 8. Milton and Hilton (twins) and Charlotta.

John B. Wical was educated in the common schools and has always been engaged in farming. He owns one hundred and forty-two acres of land and has a farm which presents a splendid appearance. On December 24, 1KX4. he was married to Ella Spears, the daughter of S. C. Spears, a farmer of this county, to which union have been born three children, Grover. Frank and Thurman. Grover. who lives In Reesvllle, married Ora Wilson. Frank, a resident of Clinton county, married Clam Morris. Tburiuan Is unmarried and lives at home with his parents.

John B. Wical is a member of the Wilson township school board and. for many years, has taken an active part in the educational affairs of Wilson township. He is widely known In that township and is one of its most highly respected citizens.

Laurence Good Wright, one of the most successful young farmers In Green township, this county, bas been well prepared for agriculture, having been graduated from the agricultural department of Ohio State University in 1011.

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The late James M. Wright was the son of Thomas MeClain and Sarah Ann (Woodmansee) Wright, who were pioneers In Highland county. Thomas McClaln Wright was a soldier in the Civil War and died during the service In 1864. at Raymond.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.