Harry Elmer Stevens 1879-1951

STEVENS

Posted By: Sara Stevens Patton (email)
Date: 11/1/2005 at 10:28:10

Red Oak Express: Nov 3, 1951
"Services for Harry E. Stevens, 72, a Spanish-American war veteran, long-time Red Oaker and court bailiff here for 17 years, will be at the Perryman Chapel Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.

Mr. Stevens died Saturday, Nov. 3 in Murphy Memorial hospital after a seven-week illness. Death was due to toxemia, caused by jejunitis and atrophy of the liver....

Honorary bearers -- all veterans of the Spanish-american war -- will be General Guy E. Logan, Evan J. Evans, Charles E. Longstreet, Frank J. Wolfe, Ivan Ellwood, Guy Briggs, M.D. Stocksleger and Ralph Robb. Active bearers will be George Christian, Will H. Gibson, C.M. Unger, John Maxell, Victor Anderson and Zeph Morgan.

A Masonic service will be conducted at the chapel by Ivan Benskin, worshipful master. Military honors at the Evergreen cemetery will be in charge of the VFW. Salute and taps will be by Company M. For many years Mr. Stevens has been a familiar figure on Memorial day programs here.

Born in Grant township, Mr. Stevens was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Erial Stevens. He lived at 611 Second Street for 41 years. Mr. Stevens operated the Red Oak Star Laundry until 1919.

His military service was with Company M, 51st Infantry, in the Spanish American war and during the Philippine Insurrection. He married the former Bonnie H. Watkins in Red Oak in 1908.

A member of the VFW and First Methodist church, Mr. Stevens is survived by his wife; a son, Capt. Randolph E. (Jack) Stevens serving with the air force in Fort Collins, Colo,; a daughter, Mrs. E. Loie Firkins of San Bernardino, Calif; a sister, Mrs. Charles S. Koons of New Hampton and a brother, India Stevens of Des Moines. There are eight grandchildren.

Mr. Stevens was a charter member of the Darwin Merritt VFW post here and had always been active in that organization."