My Genealogy Hound

Samuel Stevenson is the second child of a family of eleven of James G. and Jane (Wadkins) Stevenson. The father was born in South Carolina, and when about twelve years old, having received a whipping from his step-father for some trivial offense, he ran away from home, and arriving in this State carried mail to and from Clarksville. Later he found his way to Cape Girardeau County, and there married the mother of our subject, who was born in that county, and was two years younger than himself. Soon after they traveled on mules to the northeastern part of Arkansas, finally settling in Lovely County, but after the Government survey, their property being on the Indian reservation, they moved to Washington County, there remaining until 1837. They then passed the remainder of their days in Crawford County, dying in 1865 and 1888, respectively. Both were members of the Christian Church. Mr. Stevenson was formerly a Whig, but afterward became a Republican, and served one term in the State Legislature. He was fond of hunting during the early history of the county, and often killed ten deer per day. Later he gave his time exclusively to farming. For several years he was justice of the peace in Washington County. Samuel Stevenson was born September 8, 1826, in Northeastern Arkansas. When twenty years of age he left his father’s farm. For ten years he engaged in freighting in the Indian Territory, and then two years on the plains for the Government. He then began to farm, and has since continued engaged in that occupation with the exception of the time spent in service during the war. He now owns 240 acres, of which about 120 are cultivated, and his property is the result of his own industry and good management. In 1846 he married Susan West, a native of Kentucky, and now the mother of the following children: James G., Maria J., William, Amanda and Robert A. Mrs. Stevenson belongs to the Christian Church. In 1863 Mr. Stevenson enlisted in Company L, Second Arkansas Cavalry, Federal army, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Wilson’s Creek and Pea Ridge.