My Genealogy Hound

John A. Stevenson was born November 29, 1828, in the Indian Territory, a son of James G. and Jane (Wadkins) Stevenson [see sketch of Samuel Stevenson]. He was taken by his father when a month old to Washington County, Ark., reared on a farm there until twelve years old, and then came to Crawford County, schools then being almost unknown, and consequently he did not attend over four months. In 1850 he left home and went across the plains to California, where he mined for three years. In 1861, having returned home, he enlisted in an independent company of the Arkansas State troops, and fought in the battle of Wilson’s Creek. The company was then ordered to enlist in the regular Confederate service, which he refused to do, and in 1863 he joined Company L, Second Arkansas Cavalry, of the Federal army. He was discharged at St. Louis at the close of the war, and has since farmed and built cotton-gins. He now owns 172 acres, 120 being finely cultivated, and is a successful man. In 1853 he married Elizabeth White, who was born in Tennessee January 28, 1831, and accompanied her parents to this county when a girl. Jackson White and his wife, Elizabeth (Rider) White, were among the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have five children: William W., James G., Augusta M., Robert A. J., and Elizabeth F. A. Mrs. Stevenson is an active member of the Christian Church. Mr. Stevenson is a Republican in politics, a Mason, I. O. O. F. and K. of P.