Stephens, John & Ellen Gallagher Family

STEPHENS, STEVENS, GALLAGHER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/9/2022 at 06:22:06

Stephens, John 1822-1911 and Ellen Gallagher Family

This story was taken from page 162 of the Rock Valley St. Mary’s Catholic Church Book written for the centennial of the church in about 1982(?). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added.

JOHN STEPHENS SR. was born at Belmont, Ireland. He immigrated to this country in 1881 and settled in Wisconsin. Seven years later he moved to Sioux County, Iowa and settled on a farm six miles west and three miles north of Rock Valley, Iowa.

He married ELLEN GELLAGHER and to this union seven children were born: Margaret, John, Patrick, Eve, Tom, Mary and William.

(only child listed in the story was:)
WILLIAM was married to Kate Sullivan and they had one daughter, Coletta, who married Francis McNamara. (see McNamara)

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
Death record lists john Stephens age 90 born Ireland died 6 Nov 1911 Rock Valley, IA buried Rock Valley IA Father Richard Stephens and mother Menighan (surname?)

Death record lists Ellen Gallagher Stephens age 90 born 9 Feb 1830 Ireland died 14 Feb 1920 Rock Valley IA buried Rock Valley, Father P. Gallagher and mother not listed.

1900 census of Sioux Township, Sioux County IA lists John Stevens born in Ireland, immigrated in 1881 wife was Ellen Stevens married 1858, Children in 1900
1 .Patrick Stevens age 41, born Mar 1859 Ireland came in 1877, single
2 . Evy Stevens age 41 born Mar 1859 Ireland, came in 1877, son , single
3 .John Stevens born Jan 1870 Ireland came in 1881 son, single
4 .William Stevens born May 1872 Ireland came in 1881 son single
5 .Maggie Stevens born Oct 1876 Ireland came in 181. Daughter single

Other children were:
6. Mary Stevens, Mrs. Matthew Walpole 1868-1943 , see her obit.
7. Thomas Stevens born Ireland lived in Canada.
See our web page for obits of Evy 1859-1906

OBITUARY OF JOHN STEPHENS
Alton Democrat of Nov 11, 1911 Rock Valley News.
John Stephens departed this life at his home in Rock Valley November sixth due to the infirmities of old age, being in the ninetieth year of his life . The deceased was born in 1822 in Belmont Ireland where he grew to manhood. He was married to Miss Ellen Gallagher at Kilmore Ireland some sixty years ago. This union was blessed with ten children six of whom survive him. In 1882 he with his family emigrated to the US and located at New Richmond Wisconsin, where he resided till 1889 when he moved to Sioux county Iowa and located on a farm nine miles northwest of Rock Valley. Four years ago by reason of old age and decrepitude he left the farm and moved to Rock Valley where he has continuously resided till his death. He has been confined to his home for over a year, helpless, and at times bedfast, when that mysterious messenger came and his spirit took its flight to those blissful regions of immortality. His kindly manner won for him friends in the social circle in which he moved, who sincerely regret his passing.
He is survived by an aged companion, four sons, Patrick, John, William M. of Rock Valley and Thomas of Earlgrey Canada. Also two daughters, Mrs. Mary Walpole, and Miss Maggie both of Rock Valley. Two brothers who reside in Oregon and Wisconsin mourn his death.
Funeral services were conducted by Father McNally of Maurice at St. Mary’s Catholic church Wednesday morning November eighth in the presence of many sympathizing friends, after which he was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery south of town. Some sweet day may father and family be reunited in the mansions of light where parting is unknown. The bereaved family has the sympathy of the community in their sore affliction.

OBITUARY OF ELLEN STEPHENS
From the Rock Valley Bee, February 20, 1920:
DEATH OF MRS. ELLEN STEPHENS
Mrs. Ellen Stephens died at her home in Rock Valley Saturday morning at the advanced age of ninety years and five days, her death being due to pneumonia.
Mrs. Stephens was born near Belfast, Ireland, Feb. 9, 1830, where she grew to womanhood. She was united in marriage to John Stephens in 1851. To this union ten children were born, of whom six are living. They are Pat, of Rock Valley, Tom, of Burlington, Washington, John, Mrs. Mat Walpole, Will, and Margaret of Rock Valley.
The family came to this country in 1882 and settled at New Richmond, Wisconsin, where they lived until 1889 when they moved onto a farm northwest of Rock Valley where they resided until 1907 when they moved to Rock Valley. Mr. Stephens died in November 1911.
The deceased was a woman of a kind and generous disposition, and was highly thought of by all who knew her, and will be remembered for her many deeds of kindness.
Funeral services were held Monday morning from St. Mary's church in this city, and the remains were taken to St. Mary's Cemetery southeast of Rock Valley for burial.
* * * * * * * * * *
From the Alton Democrat, February 21, 1920: Rock Valley news:
Mrs. John Stephens died at her home in Rock Valley Saturday morning Feb. 14th of pneumonia, after an illness of several days' duration. The deceased was born in Ireland Feb. 9th, 1830, and at the time of her demise was 90 years, and five days of age. In 1851 she was married to John Stephens, and was the mother of ten children. They came to America in 1882 and located at New Richmond, Wisconsin, where they resided for a period of seven years. In 1889 they came to Rock Valley and moved on a farm northwest of town and shared with her husband the privations and hardships of pioneer days. They retired from the activities of farm life in 1907 when they moved to town. Mr. Stephens died in 1911 and since that time she has maintained her home with the children. Her health was exceptionally good for one of her years, she passed away in peace. She was a devout member of the Catholic church and was true and loyal to its principles as she saw them. She is survived by her four sons, Patrick, William, John Stephens of Rock Valley, and Thomas Stephens of Burlington, Washington. She is also survived by Mrs. Matt Walpole and Miss Maggie Stephens of Rock Valley, and eight grandchildren and many friends to mourn her departure. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at the Catholic church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. John A. O'Rielly, after which her remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery. The bereaved have the sympathy of their many friends in their sorrow.