J. J. Stephens Biography - Grant County Wisconsin

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Submitted by David W. Taft, dtaft @ cowtown.net

History of Grant County Wisconsin
Western Historical Publishing, Chicago, July 1881
Town of Platteville, Biographical Sketches, Page 922

J. J. STEPHENS, Secs. 2 and 3; P. O. Platteville; was born in Peyrdinzabuloe, 
Cornwall. England, Feb. 3, 1825. His father, James Stephens, came to America and 
settled in Grant Co., in 1840, bringing with him his sons Thomas and J. J. The 
mother and the remainder of the children came with the “Stephens Colony” in 
1842. The brothers, Thomas and J. ,J., dug several wells, and helped build the 
dam for Virgin’s mill, as their first work. The father and sons continued mining 
and farming here up to the removal of the brothers to California in 1852. J. J. 
returned in 1853, and located on a farm east of Platteville, where he remained 
eleven years. He then bought the Ed Thomas estate of 195 acres which is now his 
home. He married, Jan. 25, 1845, Miss Jane, daughter of Michael Stephens. They 
have eight children - James H., Selinda, Charles A., Almon M., Sidney A., Olive 
N., Harlen K. and Fannie L., all born in Platteville. They lost two infant sons. 
Mr. Stephens is independent in politics, and the family attend the P. M. Church. 
Besides the Thomas farm, he owns 146 2/3 acres of timber and pasture in Lima, 
and also a house and lot in Platteville.