John STEVENSON, one of the old settlers of Ringgold County, residing on section 12, Jefferson Township, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 4, 1817, a son of James STEVENSON, a native of County Down, Ireland, who came to the United States when a young man.

Our subject received his education in the rude log-cabin subscription schools of that early day.

He was married June 13, 1839, to Miss Margaret HENDERSON, a daughter of Andrew HENDERSON, and of the six children born to this union, three are living - Andrew, Thomas and Lana.

Mrs. STEVENSON died February 11, 1864, and Mr. STEVENSON was again married April 17, 1866 [Licking County, Ohio], to Miss Rebecca BINGAMAN (sic, should be BIGAMAN), a daughter of the late John BINGAMAN (sic) [and Elizabeth (SLOAT) BINGAMAN (sic)]. By his last marriage Mr. STEVENSON had two children who are both deceased.

Mr. STEVENSON came to Ringgold County, Iowa, in 1868, and settled on the place where he now resides, which is known as the BEAVER Farm, his home farm in Jefferson Township containing 377 acres, besides which, he owns eighty acres of land located in Union County, Iowa.

Mr. STEVENSON is a member of the United Presbyterian church.

NOTE: Rebecca's father John BINGAMAN was born June 23, 1798, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and died February 13, 1889, Licking County, Ohio. He was interred at Hill Road Methodist Cemetery, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, as is Rebecca's mother Elizabeth (SLOAT) BINGAMAN. Elizabeth died in March of 1854 at the age of 54.

Rebecca (BIGAMAN) STEVENSON was born April 1, 1828, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and died September 7, 1899, Ringgold County, Iowa. John STEVENSON died at the age of 83 years on December 14, 1900. Rebecca and John were interrred at Eugene Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Andrew, son of John and Margaret (HENDERSON) STEPHENSON, was born October 5, 1840, and died November 23, 1896. Andrew's wife, Mary C. was born January 4, 1840, and died March 3. 1908. Andrew and Mary's daughter Ella STEVENSON died at the age of 18 years, 1 month and six days on October 27, 1883. Andrew and Mary's daughter May STEVENSON died at the age of 2 years, 1 month and four days on October 9, 1870. Andrew and Mary's daughter Elizabeth STEVENSON died April 23, 1928, Greater Community Hospital of Creston, Iowa. They were interred at Eugene Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Margaret (HENDERSON) STEVENSON, John's first wife was born April 25, 1821, and died February 11, 1864. She was interred at Big Darby Cemetery, Plain City, Madison County, Ohio.

Andrew STEVENSON, son of John and Margaret (HENDERSON) was born October 5, 1840, Gurensey County, Ohio, and died on November 23, 1896, with interment at Eugene Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Thomas A. STEVENSON, son of John and Margaret (HENDERSON) was born March 27, 1851, Franklin County, Ohio, and died April 28, 1923, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. He was interred at Oakland Cemetery near Shannon City, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 244, 1887.

WPA Grave Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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