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Subject: [IAHENRY] Oliver Stephenson, Henry County Bios, 1888
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 00:23:20 EDT

Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa Chicago: Acme
Publishing Company, 1888.

Page 178-179:

OLIVER STEPHENSON, farmer and Trustee of Wayne Township, Henry Co., Iowa,
residing on section 18, was born in Southern Sweden in 1834, and is the son
of Stephen and Christiana C. (Poulson) Stephenson, who in 1849 emigrated to
America, settling in Trenton Township, Henry County. They brought with them
eight children---Paul, Oliver, Charles J., Stephen, Caroline, Christiana,
Mary and Louisa. The latter died in Chicago of cholera while on the way to
Iowa. Stephen Stephenson, Sr., purchased the farm upon which Daniel Vorhies
now lives, in Trenton Township, and upon this the parents, two brothers and
one sister died. Besides Oliver, two sisters are now living. Caroline
wedded Peter Alsen, who resides near Madrid, Boone Co., Iowa; and Christiana
is married to James Sexton, a native of Ohio, commercial agent for a Chicago
firm, and a resident of Pella, Iowa.

Our subject grew to manhood in Trenton Township, and from boyhood developed
the characteristics which have been so marked during his later years. He
received but a limited school education, but, as his business habits were
formed he secured a practical one, and to-day takes front rank among the
prominent farmers of the county. He was married in 1860 to Miss Mary H.
Johnson, also born in Sweden, who came alone from that country in 1858. The
young couple began their domestic life in Jefferson County, and six years
later moved to Wayne Township, this county, Mr. Stephenson purchasing a
quarter section of land. He has made this one of the most beautiful farms in
the township, and has expended large sums of money in the erection of a
mansion and fine out-buildings, and as his means increased, his broad acres
have grown to a half section of land, where he resides; and he also owns
other farms, in Nebraska, Kansas, and in this township and in other parts of
the county, showing what can be accomplished in a few years by industry and
thrift, backed by good judgment. When Oliver was a lad he worked for
twenty-five cents per day, but is now one of the largest taxpayers in Wayne
Township, and every dollar he is worth is the legitimate result of a
successful business.

Since their marriage ten children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Stephenson: Tillie, wife of John Lindell, a farmer of Wayne Township;
Caroline, Charles, Clara, Solomon, Archie, Alma, Melvin (deceased), Ettie and
George. Charles has taken a course at Howe's Academy, Mt. Pleasant, and in
point of education the children are all intended to have every advantage.

Oliver Stephenson has filled almost every township office, and for years was
President of the School Board, and also Treasurer from the organization of
the independent district. He has repeatedly filled the offices of Township
Supervisor, Township Trustee, and is the present incumbent and his own
successor. He was one of the original members of the Swedish Lutheran
Church, at Swedesburg, and was one of its first Trustees, being both Trustee
and Deacon, with the exception of one year, from its organization. He was
elected one of the Board of Directors of the Augustana College, of Rock
Island, Ill., in 1885, and has another year to serve. As a useful citizen
the township and county are proud of Oliver Stephenson. As a family, all are
held in high esteem, and with pleasure we offer this sketch of one of the
best known men of his nationality in Wayne Township.

END

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