Biography of John S Stephenson, Searcy Co, Arkansas

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Submitted by: Joy Fisher < >
        Date: 16 Feb 2008
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DR. JOHN S. STEPHENSON. The value to any community of a professional man is not
marked merely by his learning and skill, his proficiency in medical and surgical
practice, but also by his character, both private and professional, his
honorable adherence to medical ethics, and his personal integrity and
benevolence of purpose. When a physician combines these characteristics it is
with pleasure that we record his life-work, and such a man do we find in Dr.
John S. Stephenson. He owes his nativity to Polk County, Tenn., where he was
born in 1839. His parents were Dr. Andrew R. and Anna (Watson) Stephenson,born
in North Carolina in 1797,and South Carolina in 1799 respectively. They were
early settlers of East Tennessee, and in January, 1852, landed in Searcy County,
Ark., the journey thither being made with ox teams and horse teams, occupying
nearly four months. They were among the pioneers of Wiley's Cove, and there
improved a good farm, and spent the rest of their lives, the father's death
occurring in January, 1864, and the mother's in 1868. They were members of the
Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and the father was long a very
successful practicing physician of his section of the county. He was a stanch
Union man during the great Civil War, but took no active part in the struggle.
His father, Joseph Stephenson, was born in Ireland, but came to this country
about the time of the Revolutionary War, and located first in North Carolina and
then in Monroe County, Tenn., where he followed farming and teaching; he died in
1853, when quite advanced in years. His wife's death occurred in Monroe County,
Tenn., several years before his own; both were earnest members of the Baptist
Church at the time of their death. Dr. John S. Stephenson was the youngest child
born to his parents, the other members being: Joseph, who was not a soldier in
the Federal Army, was killed by bushwhackers in Searcy County, during the war;
William, who died in 1893, in California; James Wilson, who was a soldier in the
Third Arkansas Cavalry, United States Army, for eighteen months during the war,
is now a successful farmer of Wiley's Cove; Alex. Clark was also a soldier in
the Third Arkansas Cavalry, and died in Searcy County in 1884; and Mary, widow
of Berry Matthis, resides on the old home farm at Wiley's Cove. From the time he
was thirteen years old until he reached manhood, Dr. John S. Stephenson spent
his time on a farm, and as the schools of that day were very poor the most of
his literary education was obtained at home, under the instruction of his
mother. Soon after he had learned to read, he began the perusal of such medical
books as he could obtain in his father's library, and under the latter's able
instruction. His first practice was done in the army in Company I, Third
Arkansas Cavalry, which he joined in January, 1863, as a private. His command
operated mostly on the Arkansas River against the guerrillas, and he served
until the war closed, receiving his discharge at Louisburg, Ark., January 30,
1865. He acted as duty sergeant for about eighteen months, and during his entire
service was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. After the war he practiced at
Marshall, Ark., until about 1885, then two years at Western Grove, and since
that time has been very successfully engaged in the practice of his profession
at St. Joe. He is one of the oldest medical practitioners of Searcy County, and
was at one time Secretary of the Searcy County Medical Society. From 1865 until
1867 he was county and circuit clerk, and in 1872 was chosen as a fitting man to
represent the county in the State Legislature, and while discharging the duties
of this responsible position, showed himself to be able, faithful and
incorruptible. His conduct in every way pleased his Republican constituents. He
was reared a Democrat and voted for Douglas in i860, but since the war has given
his support at all times to the Republican party. Socially he is a member of the
A. F. & A. M., St. Joe Lodge No. 317, was worthy master of his lodge for four
years, and was its representative to the Grand Lodge in 1890 and 1892. The
Doctor was married July 11, 1858, to Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Jane Potter,
who came from Tennessee to Searcy County, Ark., in 1850. Mrs. Potter died here
during the war, after which Mr. Potter unfortunately became demented,
disappeared, and is supposed to be dead. Mrs. Stephenson was born in Perry
County, Tenn., and by the Doctor has become the mother of five children: Alex.
C; Martha, wife of A. J. King; Julius L.; Brunetta and Naomi A. The Doctor and
Mrs. Stephenson have long been worthy members of the Christian Church.

Extracted from:

A REMINISCENT HISTORY OF THE OZARK REGION

COMPRISING A CONDENSED GENERAL HISTORY, A BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE HISTORY OF EACH
COUNTY, AND NUMEROUS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF SUCH COUNTIES.

ILLUSTRATED.

CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS.
1894.