Samuel John Stevenson (1863-1937)

STEVENSON, RATLIFF, BLACK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/27/2022 at 22:20:20

From Nevada Evening Journal January 4, 1937 (page 3)

Funeral Service This Afternoon for S. J. Stevenson

Funeral services for Samuel J. Stevenson, 74, who died at the home of his son William A., in Milford township late Friday were held at Central Presbyterian church here this afternoon with Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy in charge. Burial was in the Nevada cemetery.

Samuel John Stevenson, son of John Samuel and Cecelia Stevenson, was born in Stavanger, Norway on March 17, 1863. At the age of fifteen he came to America in company with his brother Andrew. He stayed for a short time at Ottawa, Ill. then came to Storm Lake, Iowa where he made his home with one of his uncles. After five years in Storm Lake he went to Garden City, Ia., where on Feb. 16, 1888 he was married to Miss Mary Belle Ratliff.

Two sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson William A. Stevenson of Nevada, Lydia Margaret, now Mrs. G. A. Black of Ames and Marian Cecil Stevenson of Fernald. These all survive their father to sorrow because of broken ties but to joy because of long years of happy associations. Three brothers and one sister also survive Mr. Stevenson of Story City, Ben Stevenson of Roland, Albert Stevenson of Chicago and Mrs. Malinda Vallum of Northfield, Minnesota. Seven grandchildren are also included in the group of relatives and friends surviving Mr. Stevenson. His loving and helpful wife precede him in death during July of 1932. Theirs was a happy union and one blessed by long years of loving associations.

Leaving Garden City Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson moved to McCallsburg where they lived for seven years. They then bought a farm in Jasper county near Reynolds living there for some years then moving to Radcliffe, Ia., and from Radcliffe to Fernald where they owned a farm and have made the family home during the latter years of life. Mr. Stevenson greatly loved his home and family and took great satisfaction in being able to plan for the welfare of his loved ones.

He was confirmed in the Lutheran church as a young man and has always been interested in the active religious life of the community in which he found himself. He did not confine his interest to the denominational work with which he was early affiliated but worked willingly with those of other affiliations who happened to be his neighbors and friends. He was an ardent lover of the Bible and a consistent Bible student, finding great satisfaction in his study and knowledge of scripture.

Mr. Stevenson was abundantly blessed with good health and only in recent months had it become necessary for him to have special ntnene haree itmeto smoe dehb [sic] care. During the last two or three months he has been lovingly cared for at the home of his son William A. Stevenson in Milford township. It was there that death came suddenly on the evening of January 1st, 1937, at the age of 74 years, 9 months and 25 days.