Was born June 15, 1838, in Mason County, West Virginia, where he passed the
days of his childhood on the home farm.
At the age of fifteen years he entered
a store at the little village of Leon, in his Native County, where he acquired
his first practical knowledge of business forms and usages. He remained in
this store until twenty years of age, when he accepted a clerkship in a store
at Gallipolis, Ohio, in which employment he remained until August 1861, when
he came to Delaware County, Indiana. During the two years next ensuing, he
worked on a farm during the summer and taught school during the winter.
By the
assistance of influential and wealthy citizens who cheerfully advanced the means, he entered upon his mercantile career in 1868, at the village of Wheeling, in this county. The business was lucrative and
satisfactory from the outstart. In 1864, he changed his location to New
Cumberland, in Grant County, and, in 1868, to Muncie, when he formed a
partnership with Stacy Allen Haines. This partnership�existed
about eighteen months, when Mr. Stephenson sold his interest to John L.
McClintock, and formed a partnership with Mr. B. F. Bratton, under the firm
name of Stephenson and Bratton, and opened a dry goods store on East Main
street, which store was removed, in September, 1813, to Mr. Stephenson�s
present location in the Odd Fellows Block, on the corner of Walnut and Jackson
streets. From 1875 to 1877, the business was conducted under the firm name
of Stephenson, Neave and Co. Since 1877, Mr. Stephenson has conducted
the business alone, having purchased the interests of all his associates. He
was fortunate in the choice of a vocation in life, and has succeeded
exceedingly well. At present, and for some years in the past, he is and has
been conceded the largest dealer in the city of Muncie, in dry goods, notions,
carpets and wool. By persistent effort, and sagacious and business-like
management of his affairs, he has won his way from the humble position of
clerk in a country store, to that of leading merchant in an
enterprising city.
In political matters, he has always been active, earnest and out-spoken; and
has never permitted business interests or considerations to control or swerve
him in the least in his political affiliations or expressions. He and his
ancestry were strenuously anti-slavery in sentiment, and were political
followers of Greeley and Sumner. His first vote forPresident was cast for
Abraham Lincoln, and he continued zealously to act with the Republican Party
until 1872, when he voted for Horace Greeley for President, and, since then,
has acted with the Democratic Party. He has never been a seeker of office for
himself, however; and only once has he ever permitted the use of his name as
a candidate for office, which was in 1880, when he was elected a
member and President of the Board of School Trustees of the city of Muncie,
which position he occupies at the present time.�He is a member of Muncie
Lodge, No. 433, of Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.�His father, James Stephenson, was a native of Greenbrier County,
West Virginia, but lived for eighty-five years in Mason County, West Virginia,
where he died July 22, 1880. His mother, who still survives, is a native of
Mason County, West Virginia, where she now resides. Her maiden name was Mary
Barnett.
On the 7th day of February 1864, be was united in marriage to Miss Amanda
Thompson. They have four children�Florence May, Frank Julian, Walter Thompson
and Wilfred Vigus. Mrs. Stephenson is a daughter of David and Melinda
Thompson, who were early settlers of Washington Township, in this county. (Page 232)
Was born November 2 1810, in Warren County, Ohio and was reared on a farm.�
At the age of nineteen years, he was apprenticed to a carpenter near Lebanon,
Ohio with whom he learned the trade.� On New Year�s Day, 1832, he came to
Delaware County, Indiana, where his father had settled a year before.� He
worked at his trade in the country and afterward at Muncie.� In November
1833, he married Miss Elizabeth Pitsor.� They have had seven children, six of
whom still survive, viz: Mark A, Sarah L, Frances L, Elizabeth J., Mary E.
and David W.
In 1839, Mr. Stewart went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he had formerly vested,
and a short time subsequently located at Rushville, Ind, where he began the
study of law in the office of Hon. Samuel Bigger, just before the election of
the latter as Governor of Indiana.�He then returned to Muncie and finished
his studies in the office of Hon. Andrew Kennedy, and was licensed in 1843 by
Judges David Kilgore and James Perry. In 1849, he went to California and
returned to Muncie in 1850.� In 1854, he purchased a farm one mile east of
Muncie, and was engaged in its cultivation until 1876, when he rented it out
and removed to his cozy little residence on East Jackson Street,
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and of the Masonic fraternity.
From 1835 to 1838, he served as Treasurer of Delaware County; as Surplus
Revenue Collector for two years; and as Trustee of Center Township from 1859
to1868. (Page 230)
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�
This gentleman, who is a native of Delaware County, is a descendant
of New England ancestors. His grandfather, John Streeter, was a native of the
State of Vermont, in which State he lived and died. His father, Calvin P.
Streeter, was also a native of that State, and acquired a good business
education as a clerk in a mercantile establishment there.�When quite a young
man (1836), he emigrated to Delaware County, Ind., and embarked in mercantile
pursuits at the village of New Burlington, in PerryTownship. A few years
subsequently, he removed to the village of Wheeling, in Washington Township,
and, in 1856, to Muncie, where he resided until his death, January 12,
1881.�����������������������
In this city he engaged in the dry goods trade,
and, two years later, accepted the position of Superintendent in the
packing-house of Ira Hunter and Co., remaining with this firm and its successors
until about five years ago, when he retired from active business.�In January
1841, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Stephen Long, one of the early
Treasurers of Delaware County. This union was blessed with five children,
viz.: James L., Stephen, Mary E., Leonora and Laura, of whom the two last
named are deceased.������������������������
James L., the subject of this
sketch, was born December 2, 1841, in the village of New Burlington, Delaware
Co, Ind. At the district school near his home, he acquired the elements of an
education, subsequently pursuing his studies at the public schools of Muncie,
and, at a time just prior to the late war, he attended Indiana Asbury
University for a short time, obtaining an insight into the classical
studies. His inclinations, as well as his experience, led him to adopt
mercantile pursuits as his vocation in life�a field for which he is well
qualified, and in which he has proved his native ability. His first venture
was in the drug trade, in which he formed a co-partnership with Dr. Robert
Winton, of Muncie. After conducting a satisfactory and lucrative trade for
several years, both retired and sold the store. Mr. Streeter then engaged in
the grocery trade, which he pursued for about two years. At the end of
that time, he engaged in the sale of dry goods, which he continued for an
equal period. Then, in 1870, he embarked in the produce business, at which he
is still engaged, buying and shipping large quantities of batter, eggs,
poultry, etc.
At the Republican County Convention of 1878, he became the nominee of his
party for the office of Recorder of Delaware County. His commercial
intercourse with the people of the county had gained for him a good reputation
for integrity and probity of character; and the election that followed his
nomination, in October of the same year resulted in a large majority of votes
in his favor. He has discharged the duties of his office with
great impartiality, and has served with credit to himself, and as nearly
entire satisfaction to every one as can be reasonably expected of a public
official who has so many tastes to please. He has been very unselfish in his
efforts to accommodate those whose business led them to his office, and, in
the collection of material for the history of this county, his assistance has
been peculiarly invaluable.
As the merchant and public official, he has gained the confidence and esteem
of all whose pleasure it is to know him, and has won friendships permanent and
deep.� He is a member in good standing in Delaware Lodge No. 46, A. F. and A.
M., and Muncie Commandery, No. 18, K. T.
February 14, 1867, he gave his hand
in marriage to Miss Mary J, daughter of John Marsh, Esq., of Muncie. Two
bright, intelligent and promising children, Harry and Edna, have crowned the
happiness of this union. (Page 233)