OBIT: James STEVONS, 1886, Freedom Township, Blair County, PA

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JAMES STEVONS.
Sudden Death of a Prominent Citizen of Freedom Township.

  Mr. James Stevons died on Tuesday night last at his residence in 
Freedom township, about three miles above Newry, after an illness of a 
few hours.  On Tuesday morning he was out on his farm, but a short 
distance from his house, cutting wood.  On coming into the house he 
asked for some medicine and this was the last he spoke.  He was led to 
the lounge in the room and everything possible was done to revive him 
but the efforts were unavailing and death came to him the same night.  
The deceased was over 70 years of age and leaves a wife and several 
children, Frank and Thadeus Stevons, of Johnstown, are sons, and Mrs. 
Joseph Molloy, of near Chest Springs, Cambria county, is a daughter.  
There is another daughter who is a Sister in St. John's convent, this 
city.
  Mr. Stevons was a prominent citizen in his township and was also well 
known throughout the county.  He was an ardent democrat and was a 
delegate to many of the county conventions of that party.  Although 
undemonstrative he was a man of a kindly heart and a warm friend to 
those to whom he gave his friendship.  He was a farmer by occupation 
and followed it for many years.  He was also a dealer in lumber and was 
the owner of a sawmill.  When the branch railroad was built between 
Duncansville and Newry, he was awarded the contract for the grading of 
the same, which he did to the satisfaction of the company.  Afterward 
he went to Martinsburg where he purchased considerable real estate and 
built a brick kiln.  As the panic came on shortly afterward, this 
investment did not prove to be a paying one, and Mr. Stevons lost 
considerable by the venture.  Later on, however, he partially recovered 
from ill-fortune.  He had many friends throughout the county who will 
be sorry to learn of his death.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., January 21, 1886

1880 Juniata Township, Blair County census - 
James Steavens, 61 
Julia A. Steavens, 58 
Anna E. Steavens, 18

1870 Juniata Township, Blair County census - 
David [sic] Stevens, 51 
Julius Stevens, 49 
Mary Stevens, 24 
Thaddeus Stevens, 21 
Francis Stevens, 19 
Ann Stevens, 17 
Alice Stevens, 16 
Martha Stevens, 14 
Gregory Stevens, 8