Schley County GaArchives Obituaries.....Stevens, Joel Hampton February 17, 1941
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Harris Hill http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002514 November 24, 2006, 7:50 am

The Ellaville Sun  Friday, Feb 21, 1941  No. 36
J.H. STEVENS, SCHLEY LEADER, DIES AT 75
Many Pay Tribute at Rites Wednesday
J.H. Stevens, 75 year-old bank president, warehouseman and farmer who was the 
largest landowner in Schley county, was paid final tribute Wednesday afternoon 
at funeral services conducted at the residence here and attended by hundreds 
of sorrowing friends and relatives.  Mr. Stevens died peacefully Monday night 
at 11:40 o'clock, several hours after his condition became critical.  He had 
been in a weakened condition following a recent serious illness.  The Rev. Roy 
J. Bond officiated and was assisted by the Rev. Hugh Dozier.  Burial was in 
Ellaville cemetery.  Born April 1, 1865 at Putnam in Marion county, Mr. 
Stevens was one of 12 children of Putnam Sparks Stevens and Josephine Hurt 
Stevens.  He married Miss Helen Sewell of Americus February 1, 1893 and they 
had resided since in Schley county.  Moving to Ellaville in 1908, Mr. Stevens 
joined the late Rogers Williams in establishing a warehouse and the following 
year the company added a fertilizer manufacturing plant and ginnery.  The late 
A.C. Murray was taken into the firm later, but in 1916 Mr. Stevens became the 
sole owner.  He organized the Bank of Ellaville in September, 1910, and served 
as its president until his death.  One of the strongest small banks in the 
state, the organization never has suffered a failure.  He also was one of this 
section's largest peach orchardists, besides operating the most extensive 
farming interests in the county.  Interested in community affairs, Mr. Stevens 
was a former mayor of Ellaville, member of city council and the board of 
trustees of Ellaville school.  He kept his membership in Hopewell community 
Methodist church of Schley county, which his father helped organize, and was a 
steward for more than 40 years.  Survivors include his widow; one son, T.H. 
Stevens, who has been managing the Stevens interests since his father's 
partial retirement several years ago; four daughters, Mrs. C.T. Johnson, Mrs. 
A.H. Richardson, Mrs. Harold Ware and Mrs. W.R. Heys, all of Ellaville; a 
sister, Mrs. S.C. Collins; three grandchildren, H.H. Stevens, Jr., Helen and 
Anne Stevens, all of Ellaville.  Pallbearers were Dr. T.W. Wilson, Raymond 
Sullivan, Paul Coffin, Robert Hodges, P.W. Hamil, Osgood King, Howard Dozier 
and C.C. Jordan.

A NOTABLE CAREER (from the editorial page)
The passing of Mr. J.H. Stevens ended a notable career and cost Schley county 
one of its worthiest and most valuable citizens.  By combining hard work, 
persistence and shrewd judgment with a remarkable amount of courage, vision 
and thrift, Mr. Stevens began as a young man on a modest farm and rose rapidly 
to become owner of a warehouse company which embraced complete marketing 
facilities for many crops, a ginnery and fertilizer manufacturing plant; a 
founder and life-long president of the Bank of Ellaville; a large peach 
orchardist; a broad-scale farmer and the county's largest landowner.  While 
accomplishing such success in his many enterprises Mr. Stevens exerted a 
strong influence in this section and always was a leader in advocating better 
agricultural practices.  The sound and practical knowledge that enabled him to 
administer so successfully his own affairs was a constant source of help to 
many who sought his advice.  His interest in community life was reflected by 
his having served as mayor of Ellaville, a trustee of the local school and a 
steward of Hopewell Methodist church.  The record of Mr. Stevens' career will 
endure for many years to remind yet unborn generations that success comes to a 
man with industry, foresight, faith, a desire to cultivate wisdom and practice 
economy.  The entire section will miss his level-headed contribution to 
farming and business.  Great numbers are touched by sadness in losing a true 
friend.

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