John Stephenson

    John Stephenson, farmer and the present Treasurer of Warrick County, was born in Skelton Township, January 24, 1822, and is one of seven children born to Thomas and Sarah (Phillips) Stephenson, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and North Carolina, and were among this county's earliest pioneers.

    John Stephenson received his youthful education in the primitive log-cabin of that early period, and when a young man worked three years at the carpenter's trade. Farming, however, ahs been his principal occupation through life, and 150 acres of land in his native township is the result of his labors.

    For a help-mate through life, he selected Martha Emmons, and to their marriage five children have been born, named Huldah, Andrew, Elizabeth, William and Martha, all living. In addition to their own family, Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have extended a benevolent hand to others, and five orphan children were reared by them. For over thirty years these parents have been members of the Baptist Church.

    The fall of 1863 Mr. Stephenson enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Regiment of Infantry, and on the company's organization was chosen First Lieutenant. He served through the battles of Ringgold and Resaca, but at Chattahooche River was taken sick, which compelled him to resign his commission.

    In politics he has always been a firm advocate of the principles of Democracy, and besides, having served in various local positions of honor and trust, was elected County Treasurer in 1882, and re-elected two years later. He is one of the influential men of the county, and enjoys the high esteem of all who know him.

Source: History of Warrick, Spencer, and Perry Counties, Indiana, By: Goodspeed Bros. & Co., 1885.