STEPHENSON, OLDEN J.

STEPHENSON, THOMPSON, BIRMINGHAM, GRANT

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/21/2003 at 19:12:00

Biography reproduced from page 597 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Olden J. Stephenson is one of the capable county officials of Kossuth county, serving now as clerk of the district court for the second term. Wisconsin has furnished a large quota of citizens to the neighboring state of Iowa and among the number is Olden J. Stephenson, who was born at Sturgeon Bay, on the 9th of January, 1876. His father, Septimus Stephenson, was a native of the state of New York and on removing westward became a resident of Sturgeon Bay, where he was engaged in contracting and building. He is now a resident of Algona but his wife who bore the maiden name of Laura Ellen Thompson, died on the 3d of August, 1906. In their family were nine sons and three daughters.

In the pursuit of his education Olden J. Stephenson attended the high school at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and when eighteen years of age began working for his father. He afterward spent two years in the hardware business in connection with the firm of Schofield & Company, and afterward two years in the general merchandise store of L. M. Washburn, all at Sturgeon Bay. In April, 1901, he arrived in Kossuth county, settling at Luverne, where he was employed in a general store in connection with his brother, V. E. Stephenson. He was thus engaged in commercial pursuits until elected clerk of the district court for Kossuth county, which position he assumed on the 1st of January, 1909. His capability in that office led to his second reelection at the close of his second term of two years, so that he is now the present incumbent, his term continuing until the 1st of January, 1915.

On the 14th day of November, 1901, Mr. Stephenson was united in marriage to Miss Edna May Birmingham, a daughter of Eugene and Mazilla (Grant) Birmingham, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Her father was an expert well driver and farmer of Sturgeon Bay, and is still living there. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have four children, namely: Ellis Grant, born November 24, 1902; Kenneth Olden, born August 28, 1907; Maynard Vernon, born December 18, 1908; and Eugene Malone, born July 19, 1910. Mr. Stephenson belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Luverne, holds membership with the Algona Lodge of Yeomen of America, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Methodist Brotherhood and is chairman of its membership committee. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school since July 1, 1910, and is deeply interested in the various lines of church work whereby the moral interests of the community are conserved. His influence is always on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement, and his position is never an equivocal one.