Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Stevenson, Edward January 4, 1887
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Nan Snyder wheaton1624@yahoo.com June 9, 2017, 6:15 am

Ionia Standard - Friday, Jan. 7, 1887

Edward Stevenson died suddenly on Tuesday morning at his son's residence in Stanton,

of pneumonia. Mr. Stevenson was one of the oldest residents of Ionia and one of its

best known citizens. He was born in 1819 in Buchinghamshire, near Windsor, England,

and came with his parents to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1835. Early in the next year 
they came to Ionia. He was married to Margaret Kidd in 1847, and she and six 
children survive him. Mr. Stevenson lived in Ionia until a few years ago, when the 
United States land office was removed to Reed city. He was then register and went to

Reed city with his family. He was during nearly the whole of his active and somewhat

stormy life, an active politician and an ardent Republican. He held many public 
positions, Justice, postmaster four years and register of the land office eight 
years. His judgement in political matters was good and usually accepted by his party

associates, and "Ed's" services as peacemaker were frequently in request in the 
bitter factional fights in his party. Probably no man ever lived who enjoyed a 
practical joke better, or who made stronger friendships, or who would do more or go

farther to accommodate a friend, or who could lay down the law and the gospel of 
politics to an opponent in finer shape than he. His heart was as soft as a child's 
and gentle as a woman's, and he had an honest and outspoken contempt for hypocrisy 
and hypocrites. His faults were largely due to his jovial nature and to his nervous

temperament, and though they marred his life and perhaps hastened his end, he will 
be sincerely mourned by a vast circle of friends in Ionia and Montcalm counties. The

funeral will be held from M. E. church in this city on Sunday afternoon at two 
o'clock.

                                      A TRIBUTE
Edward Stevenson - Is it possible we shall never see you  more, nor ever again hear

that familiar voice I have been accustomed to listen to for so many years: Boys and

men together, we have been. Our relations were ever friendly and pleasant; wherein 
we differed, we differed like men, according to each sincerity of purpose and 
honesty of intention. When the words, "Uncle Ed. is dead," fall upon my ears sorrow

and sadness filled my heart. I bowed my head in grief, and mentally exclaimed, 
"Where, Oh where are the companions of my youth and early manhood?" Rapidly falling

by the way. "Que by one, one by one," and how soon I must follow, the good Lord only

knows.

Edward Stevenson was one of the pioneers of this valley. He was a positive man. He 
has done much to develop this country, held many honorable public positions, 
discharged these duties faithfully and well, enjoyed the confidence of his fellow 
men. His natural impulses were good . He was large heartfelt, generous and kind. He

envied no man his good name. There was no slander on his tongue. He flinched from no

man his worldly goods. He sought his own and cheerfully awarded to others what 
belonged to them. He was what is termed one of the noblest works of God, an honest 
man. That he had "faults, foibles and follies," no one will deny. Show us the man 
that has not. He, like ourselves, was human, not divine. Were it the reverse, there

would have been no necessity for a Savior for the redemption of the race. Good-by, 
Uncle Edward Stevenson. Your life-work is ended. No more will we see you here or on 

"Boise Blanc." We will cast the mantle of charity over human imperfections and 
cherish your memory and love you still as we have in the long years gone by.
                                                              J.C.B.
The funeral of the late Edward Stevenson was held at the M. E. church on Sunday 
afternoon, Rev. L. Master officiating. The pall bearers were C. O. Thompson, L. 
Mann, G. S. Cooper, E. H. King, A. W. Kimball and G. H. McMullen. Notwithstanding 
the stormy weather, there was a large attendance. The remains were laid at rest at 
Riverview cemetery. 

Additional Comments:
Age: 67
Funeral: Sunday, 9 January, 1887
Riverview cemetery, Reed City

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