My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM A. STEVENSON is well known in this locality, where he has a host of friends whose confidence and esteem are his highest eulogium. He is a well-to-do farmer of the town of Tyre, Seneca County, devoting his time and energies to cultivating the soil and raising Jersey cattle and Shropshire sheep, with which animals his place is well stocked.

Mr. Stevenson was born in this town, November 25, 1831; his father was born across the seas, in County Down, Ireland, in 1796, while his mother, formerly Polly Winans, was a native of the town of Tyre, this county. The paternal grandfather of William A. came to America when his son was in his fourth year. He was compelled to flee from his native land on account of having taken part in the Irish resistance to English rule. His life was in great danger while he remained there, and six months before he could effect his escape his hiding place was not known. He thus came here a poor man, accompanied by his wife and two children. He at first located in Schoharie County, N. Y., but only remained there a short time, when he worked his way further West, and, arriving in the town of Junius, this county, determined to make this locality his future home. He accordingly settled upon eighty acres of land, which now belong to his son, James P. Stevenson. This was some time between the years 1812 and 1817. The grandfather was successful in nearly all his ventures after coming to America, but never returned to his native land, living and dying in his adopted country.

The parents of Polly Stevenson came from New Jersey, and also spent their remaining years in Seneca County. The father of our subject was a young man when he came to this locality, and his older brother fought as a soldier in the War of 1812.

The father of our subject married Miss Winans in this county, and became well-to-do in this world’s goods. He was a Democrat in politics, on which ticket he was elected Road Commissioner and Assessor. His death occurred July 2, 1871, while his wife lived for several years. They were buried side by side in the Maple Grove Cemetery at Waterloo.

The parental family included five children, of whom William A. was the eldest but one. They are all living and reside in this community. Our subject staid at home until twenty-one years of age, in the mean time attending the schools taught in the district. He then entered the state normal and carried on his studies for a year and a-half. After passing the required examination he was given a state certificate to teach. This vocation he followed for several years during the winter season, and farmed during the summer months.

In 1871 Mr. Stevenson bought one hundred and six acres of land, which is included in his home farm, and to this amount he later added ninety acres. The place has been greatly improved since it came into his possession, and is now adorned with first-class buildings of every description. His barn was destroyed by fire in 1876, but he lost no time in replacing it. He follows in the footsteps of his honored father and votes the Democratic ticket. His first Presidential vote was east in 1852, when Pierce was elected. The duties of Assessor, Justice of the Peace and Supervisor he has discharged in a very competent manner, and he is qualified to fill almost any position. He resigned the second-named office shortly after his installation, as he did not like it. In 1879 he was chosen Supervisor, was re-elected in 1891, and is the present incumbent of the office, having been made his own successor since that time. He belongs to the Grange, and is associated with Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M., at Seneca Falls.

Our subject was married, when twenty-three or four years of age, to Miss Maria Southwick, of the town of Tyre. She was the daughter of David and Aurelia Southwick, and by her union with Mr. Stevenson there was born a son, William S., whose home is at Girard, Ill. He is a graduate of the veterinary school at Toronto, Canada, and is engaged in the practice of his profession in the Prairie State. Mr. Stevenson’s first wife lived but a few years, and for his second companion he chose Miss Helena Schoonmaker, also of the town of Tyre, and the daughter of D. W. and Lydia Schoonmaker.