Clifford Stephens 1878-1943

STEPHENS, SHERMAN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/4/2020 at 09:16:20

14 January 1943 - The Anamosa Journal

Clifford C. Stephens died at his home five and one-half miles south of Anamosa Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the age of 64, after being in ill health for several months.

Funeral service was held at Forest chapel Saturday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. with Rev. C. L. Windsor officiating, and Rev. W. T. Boston, Olin, assisting.

Two numbers, "Some Day" and "Beautiful Isle," were sung by Clark Johns and his son, Dale, nephew, respectively of Mr. Stephens.

Casketbearers were William Bailey, Ruhl McColm, Charles Grey, Pard Miller, Gerd Pulver and August Siefken. Burial was at Forest Hill cemetery.

Clifford Clifton Stephens was born in the Forest chapel area April 3, 1878, the son of Rev. Robert C. and Lucinda Stephens. He grew attending Forest church and the Highland Grove school.

His father had come from Conotton, Ohio, to settle on the 42 1/2 acres in Fairview township just south of the Forest church he served for many years. Rev. Stephens cleared a good share of the timber from his land, farmed and preached. He was a typical circuit rider, riding horseback to serve three other churches in the territory.

Mr. Stephens grew to manhood in this atmosphere, and on Dec. 21, 1904, was married to Clara M. Sherman in a double ceremony with her sister, Dora, and Clark John. One of the highlights during 1941 for Mr. and Mrs. Stephens was a surprise visit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John on Dec. 21 on the 37th wedding anniversary.

He was The Journal's 54th member of the Half Century Farmers club of Jones county, and when asked by a reporter in an interview in February, 1942, as to what newspapers, magazines and other reading material they received he answered, "We read the Bible."

Mr. Stephens was noted for his neat buildings and farm lot, and made it his hobby. Instead of fishing, hunting or some such recreation, he got fun out of tinkering around his buildings and equipment to keep them in good shape.

Despite his busy life, he found time to serve the community. He served as financial secretary of the Forest church for more than 25 years, and also as a trustee. He served two terms director of the Morley consolidated school district after being a director of the old Highland Grove school for a number of years.

Mr. Stephens served as Fairview township trustee for four years, was president of the Forest Hill cemetery association at the time of his death, and was a director of the Anamosa Creamery board. He was an early member of the Jones county Farm Bureau.

He leaves his wife. His parents, two sisters, Meda and Blanch, and a brother, Frank, preceded him in death.