STEPHENSON, George E. - 1912 Bio (1872-1951)

STEPHENSON, DANIELSON, CASSEL, PETERSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/1/2007 at 20:55:09

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 126-128

George E. STEPHENSON, one of the highly successful agriculturists of Lockridge township, is engaged in the operation of the farm where he was born on the 31st of January, 1872. His father, the late John STEPHENSON, was a native of England, his birth having occurred on the 21st of August, 1833. When he was a little lad he emigrated to the United States with his parents who first located in the state of New York. Later they removed to Ohio, whence they went to Indiana, where they resided until 1842, in which year they came to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county. Soon after their arrival the father entered some land in Lockridge township, now known as Four Corners. He cleared and improved this property, applying himself with unremitting energy to its operation during the remainder of his life. John STEPHENSON, who was only a boy of nine years when his parents became residents of Jefferson county, finished his education in the district schools. When old enough to begin his independent career he purchased sixty-five acres of land in Lockridge township, that he cleared and placed under cultivation. Under his capable operation and management his fields netted such lucrative returns that he was able to extend the boundaries of his homestead until he had acquired one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land. Here he made his home during the balance of his life, his demise occurring on the 17th of April, 1907. For a wife and helpmate Mr. STEPHENSON chose Miss Matilda DANIELSON, who was born in Sweden on the 7th of May, 1835. Mrs. STEPHENSON is still living at the age of seventy-six years and is residing on the old homestead in Lockridge township.

Reared on the farm where he was born, George E. STEPHENSON attended the district schools of the vicinity. While applying himself to the mastery of the elements of English learning he was also assisting his father in such capacities as his strength permitted in the work of the fields and care of the cattle. By the time he was old enough to discard his text-books, he was quite familiar with the practical methods of agriculture and fully qualified to relieve his father of the more arduous duties connected with the operation of the farm. He assumed greater responsibilities with the passing years and shortly prior to his father's death purchased the homestead, in the cultivation of which he has ever since been engaged. The tilling of the fields and care of the crops has always been given the personal supervision of Mr. STEPHENSON, whose efforts have been remunerated in a most gratifying manner. In connection with his general farming he is engaged in the raising of stock, and always keeps about twenty head of cattle and seven horses, while he annually raises forty hogs. He has wrought quite extensive improvements in the property during the period of his ownership and has increased his holdings by the addition of another ten acres.

On the 25th of October, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. STEPHENSON and Miss Clara S. CASSEL, a daughter of Andrew F. and Louisa (PETERSON) CASSEL. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. STEPHENSON, Louise E., who is now eleven years of age.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political allegiance Mr. STEPHENSON gives to the republican party. He has always taken a prominent part in the affairs of the township, having served as trustee, clerk and assessor, and, at the present time, is treasurer of the school board. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. STEPHENSON is a stockholder and director of the Lockridge Savings Bank, and a member of the examining board, while he was formerly secretary and treasurer of the Four Corners Creamery, having been officially identified with this enterprise for five years. He is one of the progressive agriculturists of the county who uses as great discernment in the system and methods he employes in directing the affairs of his farm as he would employ in conducting a commercial enterprise, and to this ability must be attributed much of his success.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.