My Genealogy Hound

PHILIP STEPHAN, P. O. Ash Ridge, a prominent farmer of Franklin Township, was born in France October 12, 1836. His father, John J. Stephan, was also a native of France, and a farmer by occupation. He came to America about 1837, locating on the farm now occupied by our subject, where he resided till his death, in March, 1880. He married Sarah Bohl, a native of France, who bore him three children. Mrs. Stephan is still living, enjoying good health, and resides at Carlisle, in her eighty-second year. Phillip is the only child living of the three born to his parents. He grew to manhood on the farm, receiving a fair common school education. When twenty-four years of age, he rented Peter Devore’s farm in Pleasant Township, where he resided five years. He then purchased 113 acres of his father’s farm, where he has since resided. He subsequently bought eighty-four acres in Jackson Township, and sixty-four acres of woodland in Franklin Township, both farms adjoining his first purchase. Mr. Stephan is a prominent Democrat of the township; in 1876, was elected Trustee, and has since occupied that position. He is connected by membership with the Protestant Evangelical Lutheran Church of Arnheim, in which body he has acceptably filled many positions. He was married in November, 1857, to Catherine Am, a native of this county. They have had three children — Jacob J., Philip F. and Catherine M. Mrs. Stephan and the children are also members of the Lutheran Church.