Biography of A. L. Stevens, St Francis County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Paul V Isbell Date: 19 Nov 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** Since 1898 the name Stevens has been associated with the funeral business in St. Francis County because it was at that time that A. L. Stevens Co, Undertakers, was founded. The business extends even further back, because the late A. LStevens bought the old Russ Stockard Undertaking concern, which formerly had been owned by I. H. Lutz. They also were involved in the livery business, with the first site being where the Gates Bros. Lumber Co. now stands, then moved to the corner of Washington and South Front Street where now stands the Quality Cleaners. For a short time it was located in the Elks Building. In 1931, it was moved to a new building on the corner of Washington and Garland street, where it now stands. At that time the old Nichols home was there, and was completely remodeled to become a faithful part of the attractive and modern day Stevens Funeral Home. A. L. Stevens came to Forrest City about 1896 to eventually enter into a partnership with the late R. M. Nimocks to found the Nimocks-Stevens Wholesale Grocery Co., of which he was Sect. Treasurer. At the same time he was operating his undertaking firm with his brother, Robert S. Stevens, assisting him. In 1888 he married Mrs. Emma Ahrens of Fort Scott, Kansas and to that union were born four children, all of Forrest City; Otis, now deceased; Irma, now Mrs J. B. Wright; Bessie, now Mrs. Fenner Laughinghouse; and W. E. Stevens, who has owned and operated the Stevens Funeral Home since his father's death in 1933 until April, 1952, when a severe attack of rheumatic condition confined him to his bed. In 1931, the Stevens built a home on North Washington in what was country at that time, and was the old county's race track. The land was also used for a circus, carnival, and ball ground. SOURCE: HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher -Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas