Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Stephen, William 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 5:34 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

William Stephen

To indulge in prolix encomium of a life which was eminently one of subjective 
modesty would be palpably incongruous, even though the record of good 
accomplished, of kindly deeds performed, and of high relative precedence 
attained might seem to justify the utterance of the glowing eulogy.  He to 
whom this memoir was dedicated was a man who “stood four-square to every wind 
that blows,” who was possessed with marked ability and who was vitally 
instinct with the deeper human sympathies; and yet who, during his long and 
useful life, avoided everything that partook of the nature of display or 
notoriety; and in this spirit would the biographist wish to have his 
utterances construed. For many years William Stephen was a well-known 
agriculturist of Grundy county, and on retiring to private life became closely 
identified with the better interests of Morris, where he was known and honored 
as a valued citizen.

Of sturdy Scotch-Presbyterian stock, William Stephen was born upon his 
father’s farm in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, May 26, 1817, and during his youth 
assisted in the development and cultivation of the fields. This practical 
training afterward stood him in good stead, when farming became the occupation 
whereby he sought a livelihood. His early educational privileges were such as 
were afforded by the common schools, but he early manifested a love of books, 
being especially fond of history. He also became greatly interested in the 
book of books, the Bible, from the reading of which he imbibed deep and well-
founded religious impressions. He united with the church in youth and soon 
thereafter determined to prepare himself for the ministry. For several years 
he bent his strong will and splendid energies in that direction. He acquired a 
fair knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages and stored his mind with a 
fund of information that would have enabled him to expound clearly the truths 
of the Bible, hut he became satisfied that nature had not designed him for the 
ministry on account of a lack of fluency in his utterances. He therefore 
abandoned his plan and apprenticed himself to a grocer, with whom he remained 
until twenty years of age.

At that time, acting on the advice of the late George Smith, for many years a 
leading banker of Chicago, Mr. Stephen came to the United States, arriving in 
Chicago July 1, 1837, to find that Mr. Smith had returned to Scotland on a 
visit. His disappointment on not finding his friend was very great, but, 
fortified by strong resolution and inflexible will power, which never cowed in 
the presence of apparent danger or hardships, he started out to make his way 
in the New World unaided. He arrived in Lisbon, Kendall county, Illinois, July 
8, 1837, friendless and poor, but soon secured work by the month and 
accumulated the means wherewith to purchase what was then known as a prairie 
team,——fourteen yoke of oxen, that is, a sufficient number of oxen to draw a 
prairie plow through the virgin soil.  He then engaged in breaking prairie for 
others, and in that manner made his start in life. As a companion and helpmeet 
on life’s journey he chose Miss Margaret Waterman, the wedding being 
celebrated February 27, 1843. He then began farming in Kendall county, and as 
the result of his industry and enterprise he came into possession of a large 
farm at Big Grove, which he transformed into rich and fertile fields. He 
successfully operated it for a number of years, and in 1869 purchased the fine 
farm now occupied by his son, Charles M., two miles northwest of Morris, and 
took possession thereof, but still retained his Kendall county farm. His 
health partially failing, he resolved to lay aside the more arduous cares of 
business life and removed to Morris, where he lived retired until called to 
the home beyond.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen was blessed with the following children: 
William I., now a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; Hester E., deceased; Amelia A., 
deceased wife of Aaron Howe; Merritt J., of Morris; Ella P., the widow of C. 
G. Collins, of Omaha; Charles M., who is farming on the old homestead near 
Morris; Ada H., who died at the age of fourteen; Helen I., the wife of A. E. 
Cagwin, of Chicago; Mrs. Hettie J. Page, of Omaha; and Fred L., of Morris.

In the days of his vigorous manhood Mr. Stephen eschewed politics and would 
never accept office other than assessor, commissioner of highways, school 
director, etc. After coming to Morris he served for several years as justice 
of the peace, school director and alderman, discharging his duties with marked 
promptness and fidelity. Though reared in the Presbyterian faith he never 
liked its church government, and in 1854 united with the Methodist Episcopal 
church, of which his wife had been a member from the age of fifteen years. He 
was from that time until his death most active in its work and contributed not 
a little to its upbuilding. He served as a class-leader, as a superintendent 
or teacher in the Sunday-school as trustee, and at all times did everything in 
his power to promote the cause of Christianity among men. His character was 
above reproach and he was held in the greatest respect by his neighbors. His 
word was as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal, 
and his integrity was unassailable.

“His life was noble, and the elements
So mixed in him that nature might stand up
And say to all the world, ‘This was a man’.”

Mr. Stephen died May 18, 1889, and his widow, who was born in New York in 
1825, survived him a little more than a decade, passing away in death in 
February, 1900. She was ever a faithful companion and helpmeet, and was loved 
and esteemed by all who knew her.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p551-553

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