Clay County, West Virginia         Biography of BUREN STEPHENSON

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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 564-565
Clay

BUREN STEPHENSON is a native son of Clay County, and
that he is one of the popular young men of this county is
indicated by the fact that he is serving as postmaster at
Clay, the judicial center of the county. He was born on
the parental homestead farm in this county, January 31,
1890, and is a son of Sherman C. and Sarah A. (Legg)
Stephenson, both likewise natives of Clay County, where the
former was born in 1863 and the latter in 1868. After his
marriage Sherman C. Stephenson continued his activities
as one of the progressive and substantial farmers of his
native county until he removed to the county seat and
engaged in the lumber business, with which he continued
his connection until his tragic death in 1900, he having
been killed in an accident. He was a staunch democrat,
and was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, as is also his widow, who still resides at
Clay. Of their four children the eldest is Byron, one of
the successful farmers of this county; Hulbert likewise is
identified with constmctive industry in his native county;
Buren, of this sketch, was next in order of birth; and
Janie, the only daughter, died in childhood.

The public schools of Clay County so thoroughly fortified
Buren Stephenson that he proved himself eligible for
pedagogic honors and became a successful teacher in the
rural schools. In 1914, under civil-service regulations, he
was appointed postmaster at Clay, and of this office he has
since continued the efficient and popular incumbent. His
political allegiance is given to the democratic party. Mr.
Stephenson is a past master of Clay County Lodge No. 97,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is affiliated also
with the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America,
his wife being a member of the Order of the Eastern Star
and of the Baptist Church.

April 4, 1914, recorded the marriage of Mr. Stephenson
and Miss Florence Sizemore, who likewise was born and
reared in Clay County, and they have two children: Janie,
born November 11, 1915, and Gladys, born August 22,
1918.