Thomas A. STEVENSON, one of the successful agriculturists of Jefferson Township, living on section 13, and an active and enterprising citizen, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 27, 1851, a son of John STEVENSON, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio.

The father brought his family to Ringgold County, Iowa, and is still a resident of Jefferson Township.

Thomas A., the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving a fair common-school education. He began his career as a teacher in the winter of 1869-'70, in Eugene, Ringgold County, in a log shanty, part of which was used for a granary, this being the first school taught at Eugene.

In this school he had thirteen scholars, one of whom was a colored man over twenty-one years of age who did not know the alphabet. He had been a slave before the war.

Mr. STEVENSON was married to Sarah E. DUNLAP, September 14, 1876, she being a daughter of John DUNLAP, of Mount Ayr. Three children have been born to this union - Margaret R., John D. and Osie M.

Mr. STEVENSON has 360 acres of well-cultivated land where he resides and is engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding thorough-bred Chester white hogs.

He was county supervisor for three years - 1881, 1882 and 1883, and at the close of his term of office the following resolution was passed:

WHEREAS, The term of office of Thomas A. STEVENSON as a member of the Board of Supervisors, of Ringgold County, Iowa has expired, therefore be it Resolved, That the county loses the services of a valuable and efficient officer of excellent business qualifications, and of undoubted integrity.

On motion the resolution was adopted.

He has been postmaster at Eugene four years and is at present filling the office. He has filled the office of justice of the peace for the past two years, and has been secretary of the School Board four years, and is still holding these positions. Mr. and Mrs. STEVENSON are members of the United Presbyterian church.

NOTE: Thomas A. STEVENSON died at the age of 72 years on April 28, 1923 at a Des Moines, Iowa hospital. Sarah E. (DUNLAP) STEVENSON was born in 1856, and died in 1945. Thomas and Sarah were interred at Oakland Cemetery near Shannon City, Ringgold County, Iowa.

John D. STEVENSON, son of Thomas A. and Sarah E. (DUNLAP), was born on October 18, 1880, and died June 21, 1955. John's wife Susan A. was born August 5, 1881, and died January 12, 1977. John and Susan were interred at Oakland Cemetery near Shannon City, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Margaret (STEVENSON) SMITH, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (DUNLAP), was born October 24, 1877 near Shannon City, married October 31, 1895 Stewart SMITH, and died July 31, 1953, Clarinda, Page County, Iowa. She was interred at Oakland Cemetery near Shannon City, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 271, 1887.

Clarinda Herald-Journal, August 3, 1953

WPA Graves Survey

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

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z