Elder Robert Stevenson

    Elder Robert Stevenson, preacher and farmer, Shelby Township, Jefferson County, Indiana, was born February 5, 1815, in Ayrshire, Scotland, and came to the United States in 1828. He is the son of Robert Stevenson, who was also born in Scotland in 1787, and was a large woolen manufacturer in that country, at Kilmanark; came to Indiana and bought a farm in Shelby Township, Jefferson County, which is still owned by the Stevenson family, and spent his remaining life there. The ancestors of this family were of the town of Kickerton. The mother of Robert, the subject of this sketch, was Jennet Wallace, of the family of Sr. Wm. Wallace, and her people were of the same county, at Machlien, on the farm Bergour. In Scotland the women retain their maiden names after marriage. She died in 1883, at the age of 88 years and 6 months.

    Mr. Robert Stevenson, the subject of this sketch, was raised on the farm and  educated in Scotland, not having any advantages of schooling after he came to this country. They had only boards for slates and fire-coals for pencils. In this way he became able to enter the ministry. He has been an active working man all his life; has worked at carpentering, built his own house and made his own furniture, some of which is still in his possession. He is a minister of the Baptist Church, and has preached in many counties in this State, and has also preached in other States. He began his work in the ministry in 1843, and may be called one of the pioneer preachers of this State. He was engaged in a State work for one year.

    He was married in 1837 to Miss Barbara Sterrett, who was born in Scotland, but came, when quite young, with her parents, to Jefferson County. Their children were James, Robert, William and Mary. His wife died April 17, 1846, and he was re-married May 4, 1847, to Sarah Rutledge, a native of Kentucky; her parents were of Virginia. The result of this marriage was five children: John, George, David, Sarah and Charles. Three of his sons were in the army: James and Robert in the Sixth Indiana Infantry, and William in the Tenth Indiana Cavalry. His sons are all of them farmers, three of them live in Jefferson County. Both of his daughters are married. Mary lives in Ripley County and Sarah in Galveston, Indiana.

    Mr. Stevens once labored in the Long Run Mission for three years, and preached 342 days in one year.

    James was wounded at Stone River, and died from the effects of the wound; his body was brought home for interment.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.