Will County IL Archives Biographies.....STEVENSON, THOMAS ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Paula Winke-Martisek wranglerjack@comcast.net September 11, 2007, 11:32 pm Author: GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD THOMAS STEVENSON. While his position as chief grain inspector for the Joliet district has given Mr. Stevenson a prominent position in Joliet, he is perhaps even better known through his connection with fraternal organizations, and his name is inseparably associated with certain well-known orders. He is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, March 7, 1857. The number 7, which occurs both in the day and the year of his birth, has been the mystic number in many of the important events of his life. His given name was also borne by his ancestors for several generations back. His father, who was a contractor, for years belonged to the Forty-second Highlanders, with which he served through the entire period of the Crimean war and also during the Sepoy rebellion in India. He married Isabelle Barr, whose father, Allen Barr, was a member of the Scots Grays and took part in the battle of Waterloo. Mr. Stevenson died in 1867, at the age of forty-five years, and afterward his widow brought the children to America, arriving in this country in September, 1869. She died in February, 1897, when seventy-one years of age. Of her family one daughter died in infancy and John died at the age of forty-one years; Isabella, Mrs. Cherry, lives in Grundy County, Ill.; and Allen resides in Kansas. It may be said truthfully of Mr. Stevenson that he is a self-made man. He has supported himself since he was ten years of age, and the education he acquired was gained solely through his own efforts. He is very fond of reading, and this has greatly aided him in the acquisition of knowledge. From time to time he has purchased books of value bearing upon general topics of interest, and he now has a good library, which is a source of much satisfaction to him. Upon coming to this county he was engaged in the Braidwood coal mines. He continued there until after his marriage, when he opened a book and stationery store in that town. On being appointed first deputy sheriff, in 1887, he removed to Joliet, and has since made this city his home. While living in Braidwood he was nominated for town clerk without his knowledge or seeking, he having never, up to that time, attended a political meeting. He was elected and filled the office for three years. For two years he was a member of the board of education and for three years served as assessor of Reed Township. After coming to Joliet he was in the sheriff's office for four years. He was appointed to his present office of state grain inspector April 7, 1897, and was re-appointed two years later. As above intimated, Mr. Stevenson is deeply interested in fraternal organizations. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias since July 3, 1878, and on that night was elected keeper of records and seals. At that time there were but about two thousand members in the state. During his connection with the order it has increased from that small number to its present membership of about forty-five thousand. Since 1880 he has been a member of the grand lodge, in which he has filled the more important offices. For a number of years he was general traveling organizer in several states. In 1879 he joined the local lodge of Odd Fellows. He is a member of Stevenson Camp No. 2892, Modern Woodmen of America, which was named in his honor. For some years he has been a member of the head camp, and attended the meeting of the same in Dubuque in June, 1897. At that time he was promoted from a membership to the chairmanship of the committee on offices and salaries, and is also a member of the committee on grievances. In Masonry he is connected with Mount Joliet Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M.; Joliet Chapter No. 27, R. A. M.; and Joliet Council No. 82, R. & S. M. In 1899 he was one of the organizers and the originator of the new order for fraternal insurance, the Order of the White Cross. The plan is a progressive one in fraternal insurance, providing a reserve fund, and making it much more reliable in the end than the generality of mutual insurance projects. With the assistance of Coll McNaughton and John Gamsey he prepared the charter and ritual of the order, in which he now holds the office of Supreme Recorder. From early manhood he has been an adherent of the Republican party, and has been a delegate to county and state conventions. Mr. Stevenson-erected the house which he occupies, at No. 116 Linden avenue. March 27, 1880, he married Emma Oliver, who was born near Mineral Point, Wis. They have five children: Thomas B., Emma L., Evan Charles, Evelyn and May. Additional comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/stevenso1681nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb