Biography of Walter E Stevens Sr, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 19 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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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. W. E. Stevens was born in 1891 in
Fort Scott, Kansas. He was graduated from the old Crowley's Ridge Institute
here, attended the University of Arkansas, and was then graduated from the
Worsham School of Embalming in Chicago. He had been assisting his father in the
wholesale grocery business, but after returning from Chicago in 1913 took over
the funeral business and renamed it the W. E. Stevens Funeral Home. On April 17,
1913, he married Miss Helen Nichols, daughter of John M. and Adelaide (Bard)
Nichols of Forrest City, who also had a son, Bard, who passed away in 1916. To
this union was born a son, Walter E. Jr., who as his father did, is managing the
Stevens Funeral Home; and a daughter, Adelaide, now Mrs. Melton Ware of Vero
Beach, Fla. Mr. Nichols came to Forrest City in 1887 and became a partner and
Vice President of the firm of J. W. Beck & Co.. He also served as City
Treasurer, member of the School Board, and Tax Assessor. Mrs. Stevens'
grandparents were James and Annie (Dodge) Bard, pioneer settlers of this area
from Kentucky. Her mother, was one of the early business women of Forrest City,
serving as Secretary for the late and distinguished Judge N. W. Norton. Mrs.
Stevens herself is very active in civic, cultural, religious and social affairs
of the city, and served as organist of the Graham Memorial Presbyterian church
for 25 years. Mr. Stevens is a former member of the RotaryClub, charter member
of the Old River Club, a 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner, and a former Elk.


SOURCE:
HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning

Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher
-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas