J. W. Stevens, farmer, Pleasant Valley Township, has been a resident of Carroll County since 1868. He was born in Bureau County, Illinois, October 24, 1861, son of Robert Stevens, a prominent pioneer of this county, whose portrait and sketch appear elsewhere in this volume. He was seven years of age when his parents came to Carroll County. The family located in Pleasant Valley Township, where our subject was reared to manhood. His youth was passed in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the common school. December 6, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Truax, who was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and daughter of David and Mary (Cooper) Truax. When she was eight years of age the family removed to La Salle County, Illinois. The parents now reside in Putnam County, that State. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents of two children—Leroy Chester and Blanche Beatrice. In politics Mr. Stevens is a Republican. Though only a young man, he has gained a good position among the leading men of the township where he has so long resided and is so well known.

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