STEVER, George

STEVER, WELLS, AVERILL, STUBBS, LONG

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 6/16/2006 at 17:22:58

"Fairfield Ledger", March 25, 1903, Pg. 6, Cols. 5-6

HE WAS A PIONEER BUSINESS MAN. George STEVER died in this city Thursday morning at 3:15, after an illness of nine days from typhoid-pneumonia. Mr. STEVER was not only an early resident of Jefferson County, but an early business man of Fairfield. He was born at Cassville, Penn., August 13th, 1831, came to Iowa with his father, the late Adam STEVER, in 1844, and made his home on a farm a mile and a half west of this city. He came to Fairfield as a clerk in the employ of the late Capt. W. R. WELLS in 1850. Four years later he formed a partnership with John H. WELLS, under the name of WELLS & STEVER, and engaged in the sale of general merchandise. In 1861 the firm was changed to WELLS, STEVER & AVERILL by the admission of N. S. AVERILL, and a large, double iron front building, the first of its kind in Fairfield, was erected for its business on the east side of the square, on the lots now owned by D. P. STUBBS. It was afterwards destroyed by fire. The firm went out of business in 1878, and all its members are dead except Mr. AVERILL, who lives in California. Mr. STEVER was one of the founders of the Jefferson County Library Association, and Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery Association, and was secretary and treasurer of the latter organization from its inception, in 1870, until 1884. He was a member of the Congregational Church of this city for many years, was teacher of the Bible class in its Sunday School for a period of twenty-five years, and for ten years its treasurer. He was a continuous resident of Jefferson County for almost sixty years and of Fairfield for more than fifty years.

Mr. STEVER was married to Juliet H. WELLS, who survives him, February 26th, 1861. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom died in infancy except one son, Dr. M. F. STEVER, who now resides at Creston. He was a man of energy, of industry, and of excellent habits of life, a loyal friend, and a genial companion. Those who knew him best during his long life in this community had a warm affection for him. Funeral services were held at the residence of a sister, Mrs. Catherine LONG, on East Burlington Street, Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. H. O. Spelman. The body was interred in the Evergreen Cemetery, in the plot of ground selected for his family when this beautiful resting place for the dead was platted.

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