Obadiah Stephens

As printed in 1882

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 history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.