Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: Harrison STEBBINS ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, May 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ In the death of Harrison Stebbins, late of Porter, Rock county has lost one of her most esteemed citizens. A Vermonter, born at Westfield, Orleans county, June 8, 1820; educated at Norwich Universtiy, he moved in 1841 to Janesville, Wisconsin Territory, with his young and amiable wife, formerly Miss Mary A. Bassett, of Montpelier, where they resided for nearly three years. Mr. Stebbins engaged in teaching and surveying. In 1844 they removed to Porter, upon the farm where the widow and only son still reside. The Stebbins home was ever a pleasant resort for friends or strangers; the genial host and hostess being equal to any social occasion. Mr. Stebbins besides attending carefully to his profession as farmer, as frequently called to fill town and county offices, and always with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the public. He had also represented his assembly district in the Legislature of the State with marked ability. He was an honest and honorable man, a kind and thoughtful neighbor, an intelligent and public spirited citizen, with a mind and heart for any true reform movement. Religiously, he was in sympathy with the Universalist Church. He will be greatly missed by the entire community, and more especially by the bereaved family, the members of which are one son, S. P. Stebbins, and two daughters, Mrs. M. Savage, of Cooksville, and Mrs. H. Wood, of Stebbinsville. Mr. Stebbins died Sept. 7th, 1882 and the funeral services wre conducted on the 8th by Rev. G. W. Lawrence, of Janesville. September 12, 1882, p. 4, Janesville Gazette, Janesville, Wisconsin Mr. Stebbins' funeral last week Friday was held in the church. There was a large attendance. Rev. Mr. Lawrence from Janesville, preached the sermon, from the text, God is Love. A lovely cross, made by loving hands, and an anchor of choice flowers, were laid on the beautiful coffin. Rich vases filled with rare flowers, adorned the desk and organ. After the closing exercises, he was borne to the cemetery, followed by most of the congregation, who paid the last tribute of respect to their friend and neighbor, and consigned his body to the silent dust. A holy quiet reigned around, A calm which life nor death destroys; Nothing disturbs that peace profound, Which his unfettered soul enjoys. The pall bearers were Messrs. Will, Joseph and Isaac Porter, Mr. Dow, Mr. Gilley, Mr. Hoxie. September 16, 1882, Evansville Review, "Cooksville" news, p. 2, col. 2, Evansville, Wisconsin