Stevens, Eben C., 1853-1931

STEVENS, MOODY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

From the Rock Valley Bee, April 3, 1931:

FATHER OF MRS. L. F. SMYLIE DIED FRIDAY, MARCH 27th

Word was received at this office the first of this week of the death of E. C. Stevens, father of Mrs. L. F. Smylie. Mr. Stevens will be remembered in Rock Valley as he made his home here with Supt. and Mrs. Smylie during their residence here a few years ago.

Eben Camilla[Camillo] Stevens was born in Garnaville, Iowa, December 13, 1853, and died at Jordon, Iowa, March 27, 1931, aged 77 years 3 months and 14 days. He was an only son of an Iowa pioneer, his father having come to McGregor, Iowa, by carriage in 1840.

Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Lucinda Moody in December, 1877. To this union two children were born, William who died in infancy and Ida Mae, who survives him. He was educated in the public school at Garnaville and in addition the select school of Master Briggs. Afterwards he taught for a number of years in the schools of Clayton and Cass counties.

In 1890 Mr. Stevens and family moved to Hull, Iowa, where he lived until five years ago, since which time he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Smylie. He became a member of Sherwood Camp M.W.A. in 1885 and was instrumental in the organization of the Hull Camp. He took great pleasure in the fact that application had recently been made for his admission to the society of Mayflower Descendants.

The deceased held numerous offices and places of trust in his home town, having been a member of the town council for four years, town clerk for twenty-eight years, a member of the Congregational Academy Board for several years and clerk of the M. W. A. for thirty years, where the records will show his clear, beautiful handwriting. By his wisdom, prudence and economy in public affairs he commended himself to the confidence of his fellow townsmen who insisted on keeping him in office until he finally refused to serve longer.

He passed a very peaceful old age, gradually failing in strength and dying a quiet, painless death at the home of his daughter in Jordon.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Sioux County Index, Hull, April 3, 1931:

EBEN CAMILLO STEVENS DIED AT JORDAN, IOWA, MARCH 27

The sad news of the death of Mr. E. C. Stevens at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Smylie at Jordan, Iowa, was received by friends in Hull last Saturday. Mr. Stevens suffered a second stroke a few weeks ago, from which he could not recover and died Friday, March 27th. He was buried at McGregor, Iowa, beside the remains of his wife.

Honest and fearless, a friend of all who knew him, his memory will linger long in the minds of his many old time friends here who extend sincere sympathy to Mrs. Smylie and family in their hour of sadness.

[Followed by the same obit published in the Rock Valley Bee.]