LEVI STEPHEN.

Pg 139

         Although almost a quarter of a century has passed since the death of Levi Stephen, of Louisa county, his name is still held in loving remembrance by all with whom he was associated and his good works continue to bear abundant harvest. Like many of the most substantial citizens of Iowa, he was a native of Ohio, born in Preble county, January 1, 1812. His father, Richard Stephen, was of Welsh descent and his mother, whose maiden name was Lettie Bailey, was of Irish extraction and was born in Pennsylvania.

         Levi Stephen received his early education in the Buckeye state and as he grew to manhood became well acquainted with the various operations of agriculture and stock-raising. In 1836, being then twenty-four years of age, he started westward in search of a home and arrived in Louisa county, Iowa, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Port Louisa township. He was a very active and industrious man and rapidly improved his place, bringing it to a high state of cultivation. As the years passed he acquired more land and became the owner of five hundred and sixty acres, being the owner of several tracts of land in Kansas. He gained recognition as one of the highly prosperous and successful farmers of the county and there were few who took a greater interest in their work or produced more satisfactory results.

         On the 22d of December, 1841, Mr. Stephan was married to Miss Jane Dickinson, a native of Steuben county, New York, born February 11, 1815. She was the youngest daughter of David and Anna (Gilbert) Dickinson, who were both born in Massachusetts, the father being of Scotch and the mother of English descent. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen: Carrie, who became the wife of John M. Creswell, of Port Louisa township; Anna L., who . . .

Pg 140

. . . died at the age of seventeen years; Josephine, at home; John F., who operates the home farm; Nannie J., who lives at home and has been engaged in teaching school in Louisa county; and Jessie S., who is now the wife of Charles Blaul, a wholesale grocer of Burlington. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen also reared William Hubbard, whom they received into their family when he was two and one-half years of age. He continued a member of their household until he reached manhood, always being given the same care and attention and possessing the same advantages of training as their own children.

         Politically Mr. Stephen gave his support to the republican party and was an earnest adherent of its principles. He served as township trustee for thirty years and also as a member of the board of county supervisors for several terms. He was frequently urged to become a candidate for other offices but declined to have his name presented, as the responsibilities of a large farm and a growing family closely demanded his attention. He resigned from the office of township treasurer one year before his death, which occurred September 6, 1887, when he was seventy-five years of age, as the result of an accident. His widow continued to reside at the old home until she too passed away July 16, 1905.

         The farm which Mr. Stephen owned is still in the possession of his children and John F., Josephine and Nannie still live on the old homestead, which is endeared to them by many years of association and which is one of the most attractive places of its size in the township. The children are members of the United Presbyterian church, as were their parents, and are active workers in behalf of the church and of all worthy causes. In early days the Stephen home was always open to the ministers who came to preach to the pioneers. The land on which the family live was preempted by the father in 1836 and in the work of development and improvement they have all borne their share.