Abraham Martin "Abe" STEPHENS

STEPHENS, MILLER, SKINNER, EHRLICH, STANLEY, KINSCH, SHAFFER, WARREN, ROSE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/6/2010 at 15:34:44

Clearfield Enterprise
Clearfield, Iowa
February 8, 1909

OBITUARY - ABRAHAM STEPHENS

Abraham STEPHENS was born in Huntington county, Penn., April 21, 1839, and died at his home in Beaconsfield, Iowa, Jan. 29, 1909, at 2 o'clock a.m., aged 68 years, 9 months and 8 days. He moved with his parents to Iowa in 1856, settleing (sic) in Ringgold county where he spent the greater part of his life, being one of the oldest and most highly respected settlers. He was married to Margaret Ann MILLER about forty years ago, who departed this life about 35 years ago. Three daughters were born to this union, Mrs. S. Guion SKINNER of Chicago, Ill, Mrs. H. M. EHRLICH of Toledo, Ohio, and Miss Blanche STEPHENS of San Francisco, Calif., all of whom are living. Sept. 16, 1880, he was united in marriage to Francis Bella WARREN, and to this union were born 7 children, on of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are William and Martin STEPHENS of Mt. Ayr, Ia.; Mrs. Selby STANLEY of Beaconsfield, Ia.; Mrs. Edgar RAY of Hillrose, Colo.; Clyde G. Ferinand and Herbert Berwin STEPHENS, who togather (sic) with the widow, one borther, John STEPHENS of Caledonia, other relatives and a host of friends mourn his loss.

He became a member of the Advantist church at Hickory Grove a number of years ago. He was a kind father, a loving husand, a good neighbor and his death leaves a vacant spot that can never be filled.

The funeral services were held from the Middle Fork church Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. conducted by Elder J. J. RUPPERT and assistaed by his present pastor, Elder W. S. BOWDEN and Elders ROBERTS, and NORRIS and Father DENNIS.

For the foundation of the writers discourse he used Rev. 21-4 "There shall be no more death" from which words of comfort were spoken to a large concourse of friends and old neighbors which had gathered to pay their last respect to a neighbor, a friend and brother. May the bereved ones have strength for the house, is the prayer of their writer and pastor.

Interment in the Middle Fork cemetery.

~J. J. RUPPERT

NOTE: Abraham Martin "Abe" STEPHENS was the son of Martin & Mary (KINSCH) STEPHENS. His first wife, Margaret Ann "Maggie" (MILLER) STEPHENS was born July 13, 1848, Rockbridge County, Virginia, the daughter of Nathan Neal & Sarah Margaret (SHAFFER) MILLER, and died April 3, 1874, with interment at Middle Fork Cemetery. His second wife, Frances Belle (WARREN) STEPHENS, was born in Ohio on June 2, 1859, the daughter of Martin W. & Hannah (ROSE) WARREN, and died at the age of 69 years on July 8, 1928, Ringgold County, Iowa, with interment at Middle Fork Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2010