STEPHENSON, Robert Bruce, M.D. - 1912 Bio (1857-1934)

STEPHENSON, HOPKIRK, BALTZ, JENKS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/2/2007 at 20:01:03

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 46-48

Dr. Robert Bruce STEPHENSON, engaged in the practice of medicine for more than a quarter of a century, in which period he has ever been conscientious and faithful in the performance of his professional duties, was born in Lockridge township, Jefferson county, on the 19th of December, 1857, his parents being Robert and Elizabeth (HOPKIRK) STEPHENSON, the mother the only daughter of Hon. William HOPKIRK. She was born in New York, and is now a resident of Fairfield. The father, Robert STEPHENSON, was a native of England, and died in Fairfield, February 14, 1909, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents on the voyage across the Atlantic, the family home being established in West Virginia, whence they afterward removed to Indiana and subsequently to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county before the state was admitted to the Union. Robert STEPHENSON was engaged in farming in this county prior to the Civil war. After the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south he joined the Union army and lost his right leg in battle. He afterward engaged in raising fruit and also filled several local offices, serving as justice of the peace and postmaster at Lockridge, while for four years he was county recorder. In the family were nine children, of whom five have passed away, three dying with diptheria (sic) during the war and the other two dying in infancy since the close of hostilities. The four yet living are: Robert Bruce; Ralph, who is at the head of the Iowa Telephone Company in Des Moines; John, acting as rural mail carrier out of Fairfield; and Flora, the wife of Oscar BALTZ, of Fairfield.

Dr. STEPHENSON made his start in life working by the month as a farm hand and also in early manhood engaged in teaching in the district schools. He supplemented his early education by a course in Parsons College, at Fairfield, from which he was graduated with the class of 1883, and thus with a good literary education to serve as a foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his professional learning, he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and was there graduated in the class of 1885. Returning to this county he then practiced for seven years in Lockridge and for two years thereafter in Mystic. In 1894 he came to Libertyville where he has since remained and a growing and extensive practice has been accorded him. He possesses marked abilitiy in the field of his chosen calling because he is continually studying and his perusal of the best medical journals and works, keeps him in touch with the advanced thought and methods of practice of the present day.

In 1886 Dr. STEPHENSON was married to Miss Laura Effie JENKS, who was born in Buchanan township, this county, and is a daughter of Samuel and D. A. JENKS. She is a graduate of Parsons College and taught school. They now have two children: Laurence B. and Edwin J., both graduates of Parsons College. The elder completed his course in 1902 and is now a student in the engineering department of the Iowa State University. Edwin J., was graduated from Parsons College in 1911, and in the fall of the same year entered the engineering department at Iowa City. Both sons are good ball players, as was the Doctor before them, and were leaders in the baseball, the basket ball and football teams at Parsons College. Dr. STEPHENSON has always encouraged his sons in manly athletic and outdoor sports. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, serving for some time as a member of the county central committee but never seeking political office. He hold membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and is a faithful and devoted member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has filled the office of elder and also superintendent of the Sunday school. His influence is always on the side of right and progress, of reform, justice and truth, and his nobility of character, his public-spirited citizenship and his professional skill have gained him a most creditable position in the regard of his fellowmen.

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