Councilor John Stephenson View All Years

Compiled Historical Information
Date of Death: 1/1/1866
Birth Place: Virginia
Party Affiliation: Whig
Assemblies Served:
Senate: LA7 (1845) - LA8 (1845)
Home County: Henry
John Stephenson
Henry County
Born in Virginia, April 11, 1800, 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 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. He was educated at Parkersburg, Va., was a farmer by occupation, and married Miss Elizabeth Archibald, daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Archibald in Dearborn, County, Ind., in 1821. Mrs. Stephenson was born in Massachusetts, October 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 until 1836, when he emigrated from that county to Henry County, Iowa, and settle in what is now Baltimore Township, on what was known as the Britton farm. Three years later he 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. When Mr. Stephenson settled 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. 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.
Sources:
Text above from Iowa Official Register/Other
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