Jackson County AlArchives Biographies.....Stepehens, W. L. January 23 1868 - living in 1893 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 27, 2004, 10:07 pm Author: Brant & Fuller (1893) W. L. STEPHENS, attorney-at-law of Bridgeport, Ala„ was born in Larkinsville, Ala., January 23, 1868. He was educated in the schools of his native county, and graduated in law from the Cumberland university at Lebanon, Tenn., in the spring of 1887. He was admitted to the bar at Lebanon, Tenn., and at Scottsboro, Ala., the same year. Locating at Scottsboro, in January, 1889, he practiced there two years, and in 1892 removed to Bridgeport, where he is now engaged in the practice of his profession. He was a candidate for circuit clerk of Jackson county in 1892, but was defeated by ninety-seven votes. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. His father, Absalom Stephens, was born in Bolivar, Ala., was a merchant and traveling man, and died in October, 1890. He served all through the war as quartermaster in the Confederate army. He married Priscilla Larkin, daughter of David Larkin, of Larkinsville. To this marriage was born one child, W. L. Stephens, the mother dying when he was three weeks old, and he was reared by his uncle, William R. Larkin, at Larkinsville. Mr.Stephens was appointed judge of the city court of Bridgeport by Gov. Thomas G. Jones, March 2, 1893. The Bridgeport News, speaking of Mr. Mr. Stephens' appointment to the bench, says: JUDGE W. L. STEPHENS.-It is no small compliment to have the unanimous endorsement of the bar of Jackson county. The occasion does not often arise when it shall be given, but it has arisen, and W. L. Stephens has received it. The occasion for this was the passage of the city court bill, which made it necessary that this court should have a presiding officer. The news of the passage of that bill was telegraphed from Montgomery on Saturday last, and on returning from that city to Scottsboro, Mr. Stephens was there tendered a petition signed by the bar recommending his appointment for that high and responsible position. * * * The news was hailed with almost universal approval in all parts of the county, and there are but few in the county but who would have taken special pleasure in adding their names to the list requesting the appointment of Mr. Stephens. The petition of the bar has been sent on to Gov. Jones for his action, and his signature will doubtless be affixed to that end in the near future * * * He thoroughly identified himself with Bridgeport, and soon won many friends here, as well as in different parts of the county. When the city court question was brought up, he at once drew the bill for it, and was accorded the lead in the contest. He gave it his untiring energy, and would not be suppressed by any opposition or obstacle. He worked for it here, and remained with it at Montgomery until its final passage. The compliment of the bar of the county is the best evidence of his qualifications and fitness for the position as judge of that court. Surely Bridgeport congratulates him on his success, and Jackson county congratulates him on the honors so well merited and bestowed. Additional Comments: from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 1142-1143 Published by Brant & Fuller (1893) Madison, WI This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb