The Stevens Families of Wapello County, Iowa

FRANK STEVENS, a prosperous farmer O'f Keokuk township, Wapello county, Iowa, was born in Herkimer county, New York, SqDtember 6, 1840, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Witherstine) Stevens, both descendants of Dutch ancestry.

Charles Stevens remained in the Empire State throughout his life, following the trade of a carpenter, in connection with farming. He was also a tavern keeper during the early days of stages. He and his wife became the parents of 10 children, as follows: George; Nancy; William; Frank; James; Margaret; Jane; Darius; Charles; and Edward. In religious belief they were Lutherans, while politically the father was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. He died about 1861, at the age of fifty-three years, and his widow died in

Frank Stevens attended the public schools of Herkimer county, New York, and while the Civil War-as in progress moved to Ohio, where he accepted a position as foreman in construction work on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. He remained with that company seven years, at the end of which time he engaged in the same capacity with the North Missouri Railroad Company, whose road afterward became a part of the Wabash system, in whose employ he remained for five years. Later he was made foreman of a construction crew on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and continued with that company until 1881. While working for that company in Des Moines he and his crew were taking gravel from a bank, and unearthed the remains of Chief Mahaska, whose identity was established by a medal which they also found. The medal bore the inscription, — "Presented to Chief Mahaska by J. Q. Adams in 1825." It is said he was murdered by neighboring tribes for making a treaty of which they were not in favor. In 1881 Mr. Stevens engaged with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company, and worked in Colorado and New Mexico. He had previously purchased a farm in Davis county, Iowa, which he leased, and in 1892 he settled permanently in Wapelloi county. He had previously lived in Ottumwa while in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Wabash Railroad companies. He and his son jointly own 360 acres of land, formerly owned by William Page. This is one of the best farming properties in the county, and is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. It is well improved in every respect, and is supplied with an abundance of pure water.

In 1862 Mr. Stevens was united in marriage with Maria McMarra, a native of Ireland, -ho came to New York when nine years of age. Fler grandfather fought throughout the Revolutionary War, under General Schuyler. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens became the parents of two children, both of whom are living: James F., a record of whose life also> appears in this volume; and Emma, who married Hiram Lester, of Keokuk township, by whom she has two children— Frank and Gertrude. In political belief the subject of this sketch is a Democrat.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES F. STEVENS.

james F. Stevens, filling the position of county auditor, to which he has twice been elected, was born in Bhindchcster, Clinton county, Ohio, September 8, 1863. His father, Frank Stevens, is a native of Little Falls, Herkimer county. New York, born September 6, 1840. In early manhood he wedded Maria McMorrow, who was born in County Sligo, Ireland, March 17, 1 841. The grandfather of Frank Stevens' mother was Captain

Wetherstine, who served under General Schuyler in the Mohawk Valley and other campaigns and also under General Washington in the Revolutionary war. He attained the rank of Captain and for his services was granted three hundred and twenty acres of land on which the City of Rochester, New York is now located. Philip McMorrow, the father of Mrs. Maria Stevens, was a colonel of artillery in the British army in the Crimean war. He fought before Sebastopol and was stationed in Ireland at the time of his death. Frank Stevens laid out the first yards of the Wabash Railroad, then known as the Northern Missouri at Ottumwa, and for twenty-eight years he was with various railroad companies. In 1893, in connection with his son James, he purchased a farm in Wapello county, but is now living retired in South Ottumwa, where he and his wife occupy a pleasant home. It was in 1874 that he removed with his family to Davis county, Iowa, settling upon a farm which he purchased and residing there about ten years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were born two children, the younger being a daughter, Emma, now the wife of H. T. Lester, of South Ottumwa.

James F. Stevens, whose name introduces this review, was a little lad of about six years when the family first came to Iowa in 1869. He is indebted to the public-school system of the state for his educational privileges. He attended the old Adams school of Ottumwa in 1871-72, was afterward a student in other schools and in the Ottumwa Business College. He started out in the business world in connection with railroad work and after being employed in that way for a time returned to school. Later he engaged in railroading, serving in many capacities in connection with the track work of the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy and several other railroads. In connection with his father he purchased a farm in this county in 1893, '"" ""'' ""'"s three hundred and sixty acres of land in Keokuk township, constituting a rich and well developed tract, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and his well managed business affairs brought to him substantial success. Mr. Stevens' fellow citizens of Wapello county recognizing his worth and ability, called him to office. In 1891 he was appointed deputy auditor and served in that capacity for two years. In 1903 he made a complete set of town lot and land transfers and plats for the entire county besides doing other work in the auditor's and treasurer's offices. It was after that that he removed to the farm, upon which he lived until he was again made deputy auditor for the years 1909-10. He was then elected auditor in the fall of the latter year and served through the succeeding two years, while in 1912 he was reelected, so that he is now serving for the fourth year as auditor, subsequent to four years' service as deputy. His political record is a commendable one, being characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day.

Mr. Stevens has been married twice. On the 27th of April, 1898, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna O'Brien, who for twelve years was a teacher in the schools of Wapello. She was a daughter of Michael and Bridget O'Brien, and she passed away Julv 2s, 1902, leaving a daughter, Mary, who is now a student in the Sisters Academy. On the 5th of September, 1904, Mr. Stevens was married to Miss Christina A. Schmitz, who was born in the Rhine Province. Germanv, a daughter of Christian and Anna ( Klingebraun) Schmitz, both of whom are now deceased.

Mr. Stevens is a member of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus. He also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Moose. His life has indeed been a busy one, in which there have been few idle hours, and he has employed his time wisely in the mastery of all the duties that have devolved upon him. He has made a splendid record in office, while in business lines he has steadily progressed and is now the owner of valuable property holdings in this county.

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

LEO E. STEVENS, cashier of the Ottumwa National Bank, of Ottumwa, Iowa, is a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of Wapello county. He was born in Wapello county, June 11, 1872, and is a son of William H. Stevens, and grandson of Abraham Stevens.

Abraham Stevens was a native of Ohio, and was born in 18 15. He was a farmer, but was known by all as "Doctor" Stevens. He was an early settler of McDonough county, Illinois. In 1846 he removed to Hairy county, Iowa, and two years later to Wapello county, where he is still living. He married Katherine Miller, who was born in 181 5, and died in 1896.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Leo E. Stevens was educated in the Ottumwa public and high schools. In 1887 he accepted a position with the First National Bank as collector. He remained with that bank until 1893, and was promoted through different clerical grades up to the position of teller. He resigned that position in 1893 to accept the position of assistant cashier in the Ottumwa National Bank. In Jul) 1898, he was elected cashier of the bank, and has since served in that capacity.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

R. A. V. STEVENS, who was long a prominent member of the medical profession in Wapello county, Iowa, was engaged in active practice at Highland Center for a period of thirty-seven years, but is now living a retired life at Ottumwa. He is a man of pleasing personality and has many friends throughout this county. Dr. Stevens was born in Harrison county, Indiana, in 1815, and at a very early date went to Illinois, where he was located until 1853. In that year he came to Wapello county, Iowa, and settled in Highland township. He erected a log cabin, to which he took his bride, and improved the claim he had entered. He resided there until 1893, and then moved to Ottumwa. When he first came to this county a log-house was the only dwelling in Ottumwa, in which a general store was conducted by Mr. Devin. He sold his land in 1893 and has since been retired from business, enjoying life at his home in Ottumwa, at the age of eighty-six years.

Dr. Stevens formed a matrimonial alliance

V<r. B. BONNIFIELD.

with Catherine Aliller, who was born in Kentucky, and they became the parents of the following children: Charlotte; Nancy; Lydia; Rhoda; Ernest; Jacob; Owen; Douglas; and Orlando. His children are all well settled and he gathers much enjoyment from their company. Mrs. Stevens, who was a woman of amiable disposition, attractive manners and high character, died in Ottumwa some time after their removal here. Politically, Dr. Stevens is a Democrat, and has served on the school board of his township for fifteen years. He is a faithful member of the Baptist church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.