Stephens, W. M.

STEPHENS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/11/2007 at 23:35:53

The Excelsior-Reporter
February 7, 1913

W. M. STEPHENS DIES SUDDENLY.
Maquoketa Banker Yields to Grim Reaper Sunday in Chicago.
FUNERAL HELD WEDNESDAY.
Death Claims one of Timber City’s Oldest and Most Prominent Business Men.

William M Stephens, one of Maquoketa’s most prominent businessmen and financiers, died suddenly of heart failure in his room at the Union Hotel, Chicago, about ten o’clock Sunday night, February 2nd. Mr. Stephens, as administrator of the Sophia Clark estate, had been in Chicago several days on business of the estate and was apparently in usual health. He had retired to his room for the night and shortly before ten o’clock rang for a bell boy, who, answering the summons, found him apparently lifeless on the bed. Mr. Weber, proprietor of the hotel, was immediately called and he and Dr. Blake, the house physician, both longtime acquaintances, worked desperately and long in a vain endeavor to restore the heart action and bring back life. When hope was finally abandoned, Mr. Weber telegraphed to R. E. Stephens in this city and he, together with A. L. Cook of Lost Nation, went to Chicago by the next train, returning Tuesday with the body of Mr. Stephens for burial. The funeral occurred at two o’clock Wednesday afternoon at the home on Niagara street. Rev. Arthur Lewis of St. Mark’s Episcopal church officiating, and a brief supplementary service was held at the Mausoleum at the Mt. Hope cemetery, where all that was earthly of William M. Stephens was laid to rest. The pall bearers were J. A. Wright, Frank Reeve, Charles Leach, Adam Ringlep, Howard Black and George Mitchell. The mayor, clerk and members of the city council acted as honorary pall bearers.

When the startling news of Mr. Stephens’ death was flashed over the wire Monday morning about nine o’clock, the whole town stood aghast. For so many years “Billy” Stephens, as he was affectionately called by his many friends, had been one of Maquoketa’s foremost business men and political factors that he was really more of an institution than a man, and it was almost impossible to realize that he could grow old and still more unbelievable that he would not longer move among us as he had for more than a half century. Despite his more than 73 years of age, no one thought of William Stephens as an old man, and he himself, was always active in body and mind, remaining literally in the harness until the day of his death.

After twelve years of intimate association, the writer feels that he knows something of the man who has passed so unexpectedly from the activities of the world. William M. Stephens was a more than an ordinary man. He may be truly called self made. Born in Carroll county, Ohio, July 17, 1839, he moved to Iowa with his parents in 1844 and at the age of sixteen years commenced to fend for himself. A clerk, a schoolmaster in Missouri, a prospector and miner in the West, then again a clerk in Maquoketa – all these varied early occupations gave him a broad perspective of life and a sturdy self reliance. His business career in Maquoketa began in the old stone store at the corner of Main and Platt streets, his only assets being health, energy, ambition and unswerving honesty. For fifty-five years successfully engaged in the battle of competitive business, the name of William M. Stephens has stood in the community as a synonym for honesty, integrity and a square dealer between man and man. Business may, and often does briefly prosper without these qualities, but never for a period of fifty-eight years.

To Mr. Stephens, Maquoketa as a city, owes much. He has always believed in our future and while other capitalists have invested the money earned here in reputed bonanzas far away, he persisted in the accumulation of home-town real estate and property, until at the time of his death, he was the largest individual property owner and tax payer in the city. With a large and clear-eyed public spiritedness he was always ready to assist with money and influence anything which he considered of real benefit to the community. When one would show Mr. Stephens actual merit behind a plan or project, he became enthusiastic for it, but if he suspected shoddiness anywhere, he was by no means slow in adverse expression.

William Stephens was an active and desirable citizen, a positive force in the educational and political life of the community. In all the many offices held by him during his long lifetime-member of the school board, councilmen, state representative, mayor- he was a staunch advocate of progress and ably seconded the efforts of his associates in any worthy work for the public. It is as mayor that he is most remembered, for he served for many terms, and the public library, the city hall and the water-works system are all improvements made during his term of service. For a much longer period than most, he was a strong political factor and his advice was sought and counsel followed in nearly every local movement for over a third of a century, and the secret of his strength was friendship.

For William Stephens was a friend of friends. To him the word “friend” meant much and for such a friend he would go far. With all his keen, natural delight and shrewdness in money getting, he disdained the hypocrisies with which many men mask their inmost feelings and intentions, and with quick sympathies and kindly impulses he would put not only his dollars but himself freely at the service of his friend. Remarkably keen and far sighted in matters of business, he was quick to detect ability in others and many a struggler has been pushed over hard places by his aid. His poney on business and always constructive never destructive. In helping himself, he helped others. Though there may be some who have forgotten the name and favor of William Stephens, many men there are, long gone and many here today who will always remember the helping hand extended to their hour of need. Charity, not only in material things, but in its broadest sense, was a constant mental attribute of William Stephens. The opinions, the beliefs of others, no matter how contrary to his own commanded his respect, and looking through the errors that men made, he based his judgment of the man upon the motive behind the act.

With all his public mindedness, love of home and family were first in the heart of William Stephens. His marriage with Seva Brace was a great step toward his success, and since the passing of the faithful helpmate and loving mother in August, 1904, he has lavished a double measure of affection upon his two children and his grandchildren. Although the community loss is severe, it is in the home that the blow falls heaviest – there alone can the loss be fully measured. And to these loved ones left to mourn – to the children, the aged father and the bereaved brother, the saddened community, which paid its last debt of respect by a mass of beautiful flowers and by the silent tribute of its attending citizens at the funeral Wednesday, extends sincerest sympathy in their hour of sorrow.