Hiram S. Stevens
History of Arizona, Vol II, Thomas E. Farish, 1915, pg 198

Hiram S. Stevens was born in Western Vermont on 
March 20, 1832 and came to Arizona in 1855.  When a 
youth of 19 he enlisted as a U.S. soldier and came to 
New Mexico in Company I, First United States Dragoons.  
On being discharged from the service in 1855, he came to 
Arizona where he resided continuously up to the time of 
his death.  At first he was a sporting man, then afterwards 
a trader and speculator and in 1874 he was counted one of 
the richest men in the Territory.  At this time he was 
elected Delegate to Congress.  The story told of how his 
election was accomplished is illustrative of the wild and
 woolly way of doing things at that time.  The gambling 
fraternity was a very numerous and influential citizenship 
of Arizona.  R.C. McCormick served several terms in 
Congress and in seeking reelection was supported by the 
administration which was a hard force to overcome.  
Stevens was equal to the occasion.  He took twenty five 
thousand dollars from his campaign fund and sent his agent 
to all the prominent gamblers in the Territory saying" 
Bet one thousand; bet two thousand; three thousand; 
according to the influence of the man and his following 
on Stevens being elected and if you win, return to me 
the amount which you have wagered, keeping your winning."  
In this way he enlisted the active support of the sporting 
fraternity of Arizona.  He served two terms as Delegate to 
Congress, several terms in the Territorial Legislature and 
two  terms as Treasurer of Pima County where he died on 
March 24, 1893.

USGenWeb Project NOTICE: 
In keeping with our policy of providing free information on 
the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as
long as this message remains on all copied material. These 
electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for
profit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. 

Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for 
purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written
permission from the author, or the submitter and from the 
listed USGenWeb Project archivist.