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1907 Past and Present Biographies

W. H. Stevens

An excellent farm property of one hundred and twenty acres on section 13, Jackson township, is the property of W. H. Stevens, and that he deserves classification with the energetic and capable agriculturists is shown in the attractive appearance of his farm. He dates his residence in Greene county since 1870, in which year he came to Iowa with his father, William Stevens. He was born in Wisconsin in 1862, and was therefore about eight years of age when the family removed to this state, making the journey across the country with team and wagon, it requiring seven weeks to complete the trip. On reaching his destination William Stevens settled in Grant township, where he rented land for three years, and in its cultivation provided for the support of his fmnily. He then bought forty acres on section thirty-five, Jackson township, and with the added stimulus which comes from owning property, he resolutely set to work to improve his farm, to which he afterward added an additional tract of eighty acres. This was raw prairie, on which not a furrow had as yet been made, but with characteristic energy he began to turn the sod. As the years passed he cultivated and improved his farm and soon it bore little resemblance to the tract which came into his possession, for rich fields brought forth good crops and well kept fences divided the place for greater convenience in cultivation. At a later date he was associated with his son, W. H. Stevens, in the purchase and ownership of one hundred and sixty acres, adjoining the old home place. His life was one of continuous business activity, nor was he denied the success which should ever crown persistent, well directed labor. He continued to reside in Jackson township up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 9th of September, 1889, when he was sixty-six years of age. In early manhood he had married Miss Mary E. Cartright, who, like her husband, was a native of the state of New York. Her death occurred June 12, 1896. They were both people of genuine worth and of the highest respectability, and unto them were born eleven children, of whom six are yet living.

W. H. Stevens remained on the old home farm until he attained his majority. As boy and youth he attended school and worked in the fields, with intervals for pleasure and sport such as claimed the attention of the boys of the period. When he had reached adult age he started out in business on his own account as a farmer and eventually he sold his property on section 35, Jackson township, and bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 13, of the same township, of Clopton & Rake. A house had been erected thereon, but Mr. Stevens built the barn, planted trees and otherwise improved the place in keeping with a spirit of modern, progressive agriculture. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres and cultivates two hundred and eighty acres of rich land, and in addition raises shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, and the sales of his stock contribute largely to his annual income.

In Jackson township, February 22, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of W. H. Stevens and Miss Minnie A. Clopton, a daughter of Isaac Clopton. Mrs. Stevens was born in 1866 and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, Floyd, Guy and Ralph. The parents are widely known and highly esteemed, having many friends in the township and county in which they have long made their home.

In his political course Mr. Stevens has followed in the footsteps of his father, giving stalwart support to the republican party and its principles. He has served for seven years as trustee of his township and in the discharge of his duty is ever prompt, faithful and reliable, bringing to his official work the same practical ideas which are manifest in his business career. There has been nothing sensational in his career; on the contrary his life has been quietly passed in the work of the farm, but charactcer is based upon the prompt, capable performance of each day’s duty and in this regard Mr. Stevens has made a record well worthy of emulation.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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