Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: David Ebenezer STEVENS ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, June 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Great consternation and surprise prevailed throughout this city this Tuesday afternoon when it was announced about 2 o'clock that David E. Stevens one of our oldest stock buyers and most extensive real estate owners was dead. He was first taken sick yesterday, Monday, while riding in the country, engaged in his regular occupation of stock buying, and was brought home only to die at about 2 o'clock today from a stoppage of the bowels, for which there seemed no relief nor remedy whatever David E. Stevens was born in Franklin county near Fort Covington, N. Y. April 2, 1840. Came to this vicinity in 1861 when but 21 years of age, where he has resided continuously since aside from five years in Albany where he was engaged in business with Everett Van Patten, but his family still resided here aside from two years, therefore we can virtually claim Mr. Stevens as a resident of this city for 42 years. He undoubtedly has today the widest acquaintance of any grain and stock buyer throughout this part of the country. And not only this but upon the Stock Exchange in the city of Chicago, where the greatest sorrow and regret was expressed in our presence Wednesday afternoon; each and every one there not being able to express too much sorrow and praise for their departed friend. Stating that he was one of the best buyers and shippers of stock it had ever been their good fortune to become acquainted and deal with, and not only this, but in all of his wide acquaintance and extensive dealings for years his integrity and honesty was beyond reproach. What a splendid record for a man who has been in business in our place for over forty years. Mr. Stevens was married in 1867 to Miss Amanda Little, who died about one year later, leaving one daughter, May, now wife of M. D. Martin, residing in Jasper, Minn. April 10, 1872, he was again married to Miss Winnifred Regan; the fruits of this union are seven children, four sons and three daughters. Dr. Willard S., of Norway, Mich.; Mrs. S. M. Garlick, of Beloit; Dr. Carl C., of Jasper, Minn.; Ward, an attorney of Janesville and Ralph, Anna and Bessie, who are still at home. He also leaves two brothers and one sister, Mrs. A. Van Patten of Perry, Ia.; Styles H. of Ft. Covington, N. Y., and William, a retired stock and grain dealer of this city; all of whom were present at the funeral. He united with the M. E. church in Union when 21 years of age, and has been an ardent worker and a faithful supporter of the church ever since, never wavering in any manner from his first choice of religion; always true in this as in all else. Evansville has certainly met with a great and irreparable loss in the death of this man. The funeral was held in the M. E. church this Friday afternoon (Dec. 4th) at two o'clock and was one of the largest ever held in this city. Rev. W. W. Stevens, a former beloved pastor, now of Kenosha, officiating. The handsome casket was buried in a profusion of flowers, denoting that all that the most loving hands could do was done to the very last. Not only the family are heart broken over this very sudden death, but the entire community sorrow with them. All of the principal business places were closed during the service. The Bearers who were old and especially valued business friends were W. H. H. Johnson, Byron Campbell, T. F. Shurrum, Everett Van Patten, L. Shiveley and Wm. Carpenter. The undertakers were Snashall & Boyd. The following friends from out of town were present at the funeral: Mrs. O. L. Richards and daughter Mabel, Dr. and Mrs. Ed. Dudley, Mrs. A. Heath, Ogden H. Fethers, M. O. Mouat, M. Dawson, Ash Thorpe, all of Janesville, Wis.; O. L. Dudley, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Johnson, Joe Norris, Chicago; B. F. McMillan, McMillan, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Bullock, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Garlick, Miss Ruby Garlick, Beloit; Fred Humiston, Madison, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Evans, Attica, Wis. December 8, 1903, The Tribune, p. 3, col. 6, Evansville, Wisconsin Note: according to the Maple Hill Cemetery Index, David E. Stephens died on Tuesday, December 1, 1903.