LEVI STEPHEN

STEPHEN, BAILEY, HAYS, PETERS, DICKINSON, GILBERT, CRESWELL, BLAUEL

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/8/2009 at 01:46:43

LEVI STEPHEN, deceased, one of the early pioneers of Louisa County, was born Jan. 1, 1812, in Preble County, Ohio, and was a son of Richard and Lettie (Bailey) Stephen, the father being of Welsh ancestry, and the mother a native of Pennsylvania, though of Irish descent. They were early settlers of Preble County, where the father engaged in farming, and there eight children were born to them: Rebecca, wife of R. B. Hays, of Dublin, Ind., died in August, 1887; Mary wedded Silas Peters, a resident of Soraerville, Ohio; Levi, our subject, was the third in order of birth; Isaiah is now a resident of Southern Illinois; John II. is an attorney, of Eaton, Ohio; Morton B. died when a young man; and Bazil is now living on the old homestead in Butler County, Ohio. The father was a man of high moral standing, strong in his convictions, yet generous and kind-hearted. He was a great friend of all institutions of learning, and educated his children as well as his means and the advantages of that day and age afforded.

In 1836, at the age of twenty-five years, Levi Stephen emigrated to Louisa County, Iowa, settling on section 13, Port Louisa Township, where he entered a claim of 160 acres of raw, uncultivated land. The work of improvement was immediately begun, and from the unbroken prairie was soon developed a fine farm. By his enterprise and economy Mr. Stephen added to his possessions from time to time until at his death he was the owner of 560 acres in Louisa County, and also several tracts of land in Kansas. On the 22d of December, 1841, his marriage with Jane Dickinson was celebrated. Mrs. Stephen is a native of Sleuben County, N. Y., and a daughter of David and Anna (Gilbert) Dickinson, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, though the father was of Scotch descent, and the mother of English ancestry. Six children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen: Carrie, wife of John M. Creswell, a resident of Port Louisa Township; Anna L., who died at the age of seventeen years; Josephine, who is at home; John F., who has charge of the farm; Nannie J., a teacher in the public schools of Louisa County; and Jessie S., wife of Charles Blaul, a wholesale grocer, of Burlington, Iowa. They also supported and educated William Hubbard, taking him when two and a half years old, and caring for him as their own until he was of age.

Mr. Stephen and his wife were both members of the United Presbyterian Church. He was a sincere Christian gentleman, a great helper in the work of the church, and a liberal contributer to its support. A close and keen observer, he was well informed on all the issues of the day, taking a lively interest in all affairs that were for the public good, and although very unassuming in his manner, his influence was very marked, his judgment unexcelled, and bis honesty unquestioned.

In his political views Mr. Stephen was a strong supporter of the Republican party. He had always been opposed to the institution of slavery, so when a party sprang into existence that favored its abolition, he immediately joined its ranks. Although he never desired office of any kind, and frequently refused to allow his name to be used, still for thirty years he held the office of Township Treasurer, resigning just the year previous to his death. He was also a member of the Board of County Supervisors for several terms. His death, which occurred Sept. C, 1887, was caused by strangulated hernia, the result of an accident, and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends, for he was universally respected and loved by the people of Louisa County. For fifty years he had been one of their number, and his kindness to those in need, his sympathy for those in distress, and his liberality to all enterprises which would benefit the public, won all hearts.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album 1885