BIO: Stephenson, Nelson & John s/o Stephenson, Benjamin & Mary Grimes - Henry Co submitted by: Diana Flynn "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES, INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 VERNON TOWNSHIP, WASHINGTON COUNTY PAGES 936 & 937 JOHN STEPHENSON, an influential farmer of Vernon Township, was born March 22, 1837, being the next youngest of a family of ten children born to Benjamin and Mary (Grimes) Stephenson. His ancestors were natives of Kentucky, from which State they immigrated to Indiana in about the year 1833, settling about three miles south of Smedley Station, the father was of English and the mother of Dutch descent. His educational facilities were rather limited, but by his energy succeeded in getting a good practical education, enough to enable him successfully to perform any and all business transactions. He remained home on the farm with his parents until he attained his majority. On the 22d of September, 1859, his marriage with Sarah E. Scott was solemnized, and their union has been blessed with six children, five of whom are now living, and named Newton E., Laura, Preston M., Hattie, Ada and Clara B., all living but the last. Mr. S. is a member in good standing in the Christian Church, and contributes liberally to all church and charitable institutions. In the year 1859 he moved to Texas, but returned the next year. In 1862 he enlisted as a private soldier in the defense of his country, in the Sixty sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company A, and was in the following engagements: Richmond, Ky., and through the entire Atlanta campaign, serving with honor for three years, when he was mustered out at Washington in May of 1865. In politics Mr. Stephenson is a stanch Republican, and takes an interest in the political questions of the day. By occupation he is a farmer and stock-raiser, in which chosen vocation he has made a decided success. NELSON STEPHENSON, an old and respected citizen of Vernon Township, was born March 27, 1824, being the fifth in a family of ten children born to Benjamin and Mary (Grimes) Stephenson. His parents were natives of Henry County, Ky., from which place they removed to Indiana, settling on the farm now owned by Nelson. The father was of English and the mother of Dutch descent. Nelson had limited means for procuring an education, but by his energy managed to secure a fair practical education, enough to enable him successfully to perform any and all his business transactions. He remained home with his parents until he attained his nineteenth year, and on the 2d day of March, 1843, his marriage with Jemima Maudlin was solemnized and to their union have been born six children, of whom three are now living. Their names are Peter and John, deceased; James H., who married Cassie Bogle; William F., who married Martha Ashens; Eliza E., who died June 16, 1859, and Eli B., who married Martha Wade. Mr. Stephenson belongs to the Christian Church and is one for the influential members in that organization. He contributes liberally to all church and charitable causes. He entered the service of his country in the fall of 1862, and served as a private soldier until the close of the Rebellion. He belonged to Company A, Sixty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, and was in the following engagements: At Richmond, Ky., Dallas, Ga., Atlanta, Ga. and through the entire Atlanta campaign. By occupation he is a farmer and stock-raiser, in which he has made a decided success, having now in his possession 695 acres of well improved land. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and takes a lively interest in the political questions of the day. ************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.