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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ON JAMES AND REBECCA (STEPHENS) COOPER.
The following were received by R.H. Weightman in August 1997 from Shirley Stedman, P.O. Box 185, Marion, TX 78124.  She explained that she had found papers, that had been handed down in her family, that were sketches about various of her ancestors.
          After R.H. Weightman compared these sketches with sketches on the same people in J. P. Stevens'  "Historic Sketches of Isaac Phares' Family of Shelby Co. Ind.",  it appears that these sketches were submitted to J. P. Stevens for including in his publication.  Some of the following sketches were either modified by J. P. Stevens or, were not used by him.

This was probably written by Rebecca Jane (Stephens) Cooper.  (Compare with sketch on Page 24 of the History)

James and Rebecca Cooper made their home around Marietta, Ohio.  According to records he was of Irish and Dutch descent.  He worked as a stone mason and plaster work.  James Cooper served as a private in Company B of Henry G. Byers, 31st Regiment of Ohio Infantry Volunteers.  His service began August 15, 1862 and was discharged July 20, 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.  His discharge paper (which Shirley Stedman wrote that she has) describes him as a native of Carroll County, Ohio, 23 years of age, five feet eleven inches high, fair complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair, and by occupation, a farmer.  James returned to his home in Ohio where he resided until 1870, when he and family migrated to Kansas.  His sisters were Hannah,  Elizabeth,  Susanna,  Christena.  His brothers were  Cal,  Ross,  Bill.  They were the children of John and Susanna Brown Cooper.

Rebecca was the eldest daughter of Stacy and Sarah Phares Stephens.  Her family came from Holland to Philadelphia about 1700.  Her sisters were  Sarah Mary,  Barbara Lucietta,  Nancy Lydia,  and her brothers were  John Paul,  James Phares,  Stacy Henry,  Samuel Matthew (b. Mar. 27, 1849 in Washington County, Ohio. md. Elizabeth Crater Aug 6, 1873 in Wellsville, Kansas),  Enoch Elijah,  William (Billy) Thomas.


BIOGRAPHY OF REBECCA JANE COOPER OF CERES, OKLAHOMA.
(Compare with sketch on page 24 of the History)

Daughter of Stacy Stephens and Sarah Stephens.  Now-- Rebecca Jane Stephens was born Dec 21st, 1839 at her father's homestead in Indianapolis, Indiana, later moving to Virginia again locating in Carrol Co, Ohio when Rebecca was 10 years old where they resided until later years where Rebecca Jane spent her girlhood and youth until at the age of 18 years she was married to James Cooper, Marietta, Ohio, July 6, 1857 being schoolmates and companions from early childhood.

To this union was born 13 children. At the time of this writing 5 are still living.
          Mr. Robert Matthew Cooper, Red Rock, Oklahoma
          Mrs Susanah Eulalie Eldred, Houston, Texas
          Mrs Rebecca Naomi Guy, Avery, Oklahoma
          Mrs Mary E. Minugh, Muskogee, Oklahoma
          Mrs Amy Lucy Wyckoff, Toppinish, Washington.

At an early age she united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Marietta, Ohio and always lived a conservative useful Christian life raising her family carefully and prayerfully in the fear and admoni- tion of the LORD always faithful kind loving and true, always striving for the care and comfort of her family so unselfish in word and deed in sickness and bereavement never complaining altho it seemed to crush her heart to let her little ones go - but knowing and relying they were safe in the arms of Jesus she was resigned prayerfully striving to raise those left to her care to give their hearts and lives to their heavenly fathers care and keeping, and her children one and all hold in holy remembrance and love the care and careful council and guidance of one of earth's best-gift-to children A Dear loving faithful Christian MOTHER.  Those love her best that know her best.  She has been a loyal member of the Ceres Baptist Church for several years. Being one of its charter members ever faithful and attended all she could until old age and infirmities prevented her attendance - ever praying for the interest and advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Her most comforting promise of the Master's Word  "Yea tho I walk thro the Valley and Shadow of death, I will fear no evil- For thy rod and thy staff they comfort me".

Songs she requests sang is  "Lord I'm Coming Home",  "Asleep in Jesus",  Mother dearest will meet you darling, where the Pearly Gates unfold and the Savior stands to greet you, where the streets are paved with gold"


SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF THE LIFE OF JAMES COOPER NOW DECEASED.
(Compare with sketch on page 24 of History)

James Cooper was born Feb 8, 1839.
At an early age he united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Marietta, Ohio where he lived on a farm worked hard but was always happy and contented, enlisting in the Civil War in 1862 under Lieutenant Stephison, 2nd Lieutenant, Co H, 92d Regiment, Ohio Volunteers.  Drilled 3 months before going to actual service under the leadership of Captain Auldon.  He was in active service in Benton, Virginia, and many other points during the period of 3 years 18 days, was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio in spring at end of war in 1865.

At which time his family (with several others) emigrated to Williamsburg, Kansas in spring of 1870 settling on farm living there until spring of 1884 when emigrating again to Stillwater, OK, there remaining until the "Strip" opened for settlement, then settling on present home soon after where he has since resided, known and re- spected by all his neighbors.  Being a Senior Deacon of the Baptist Church of Ceres, OK, has been a loyal true member and strove daily to follow his LORD and MASTER all the way always giving good advice and council to his children teaching them in the care and admonition of the SAVIOR always patient and loyal to his family ever asking divine blessing whether present or absent 3 times daily at daily board.  He desired to be layed to rest (when done with this life's work) and his spirit goes to be with his LORD and Maker.  In the "Ceres Cemitry" - Saying he was going to be with his LORD whom he will be happy to meet face-to-face and he can sing the songs with the redeemed.

Scripture he selected read was "Psalms Cha - Verses

The LORD is my Shepard I shall not want;  He leadeth me beside the still waters, He delivereth my soul, etc. till end of chapter.

Song he requested sang were "Since I have been redeemed", "When the Roll is called up yonder". Verse selected by Children.

"Father dearest, we will miss you There will be one vacant chair We will linger to carress you While we breathe our evening prayer.

Pall bearers: Mr Pollard, Mr Faulkner, Mr Stackhouse, Mr Carpenter. Procession: 100 autos, 30 vehicles.

(The two above obituaries were written by Susannah Eulalie Eldred, daughter of Rebecca Jane Stephens Cooper and James Cooper.)

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(Compare with sketch on pages 25 and 26 of History)
Susanna Eulalie Cooper Eldred b. May 4, 1865 near Marietta, OH
          d. Aug 25, 1950, Houston, TX
On Nov 23, 1884, Susanna Eulalie married Louis Harry Eldred.
          (b. Sep 13, 1863, Climax, Michigan) at Climax, Kansas.
           He died Oct 3, 1936 in Houston, Texas

Children of Susanna Eulalie Cooper and Louis Harry Eldred

     James William b. Nov 8, 1886
          d. Oct 22, 1887, Climax, Kansas
     Christena Mae b. Nov. 22 1889, Elk Co, Kansas
          d. Nov 7 1976, Houston, Texas
     John Melvin b. Aug 7, 1893
          d. Feb 2, 1971, Houston, Texas
     Harry Eugene b. Jan 25, 1895
          d. Apr 17, 1980, Houston, Texas
     Herbert Leonard b. Dec 24, 1899, Oklahoma
          d. Dec 31, 1982, Houston, Texas
     Luella Amy b. Aug 17, 1905, Fort Madison, Iowa
          d. 1993, Houston, Texas

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Children of Christena Mae Eldred and Robert Wyatt Oates

Marion Arietta b. Jan 7, 1911
Ann Eulalie b. Sep 15, 1912
Ruby Leona b. Jul 18, 1915 (mother of Shirley Stedman)
Dorothy Lucinda b. Jul 22, 1917
Bertha Luella b. Jul 31, 1920

LOUIS HARVEY ELDRED

b. Sept 13 1863, on a farm near Climax, Mich.
d. Oct 3, 1936, in Houston, Texas, where he is buried.
m. Nov 22, 1884, at the farm home of the bride's parents near

Climax, Kansas, by the Rev. Gregor MacDonald, Susanna Eulalie Cooper, daughter of James & Rebecca Jane (Stephens) Cooper. She was b. May 4, 1865, near Marietta, Ohio, and d. at the home of her dau., Mrs R. W. Oates, at 1238 Mae Drive, Houston, Texas, Aug 25, 1950. Buried there in Rest Haven Cemetery. Her resi- dence had been at 7117 Greenville Street, Houston, Texas. She was a member of Faith Memorial Baptist Church.

          Louis Harvey Eldred lived through his early boyhood on the farm where he was born. When he was 7 years old his father, with his entire family, moved from Climax, Mich, to a new and sparsely settled locality in Greenwood County, southeastern Kansas, which, when a postoffice was later established, was named Climax, in honor of the old home in Michigan.

          Two years later, in 1872, Louis' grandfather, Caleb Eldred, Jr, with part of his family, also settled in Climax, Kansas. Louis' father and grandfather established themselves in the dairy business, and it was in this environment that Louis grew to manhood. By that time the dairy business of Louis' father had grown greatly and had become specialized in the production of cheese from a herd of over 40 cows.

          At the age of 21 he married Susanna Eulalie Cooper.  She was a member, on her mother's side of a pioneer family, several units of which had migrated from Indiana to Franklin County, Kansas, a few years before the Eldreds had settled at Climax.  After a few years her father, in search of better opportunies, moved to the vicinity of Climax.  In the course of social gatherings common in those days, the two young people became acquainted.

          Caleb Eldred, Jr, like many others of the early Eldreds of Climax, Mich, was a staunch Baptist.  Among his close friends was the Rev. Gregor MacDonald, a Scotch minister of the Baptist faith, whose home was in Canada.  The Rev. MacDonald had officiated at numerous weddings and burials among the Eldreds, so when his grandson, Louis, decided on matrimony, nothing would do but that the Rev MacDonald be sent for to perform the ceremony.  The wedding was a double wedding, that of Eulalie and her younger sister.  The time was set at noon.  The day was rainy, but all the invited guests braved the weather and were present. Weddings in those days were affairs of great social importance.

          After his marriage Louis became a salesman, selling the output of his father's dairy to outlets in neighboring communities.  He so continued for a couple of years.  In 1886 Louis moved to his father's farm near Climax and assumed its active management.   His father moved to another farm. He continued to operate his father's farm for about three years.
          During the later part of this period there was a good deal of public discussion about the opening of a strip of public lands in Oklahoma to homestead settlement.  Louis, together with his father-in- law, brother-in-law, and some others, decided to try their fortune in this homesteading opportunity.  He gave up the operation of the farm and moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, at the edge of what had come to be called "The Strip" that was to be opened to settlement.  The family lived there about two years, waiting for the formal opening of "The Strip" to settlement.  Louis employed himself during this time, at carpenter work.

          At last, on Sept 16, 1893, "The Strip" was opened to settlement amid scenes of wildest excitement. Louis, with hundreds of others, "made the run" from Orlando, Oklahoma.  With the help of a friend named Judge Niles, Louis staked a claim, with a beautiful spring on it, about 5 miles north of Orlando, in Noble County, Oklahoma.  The first-hand story of this episode in their lives, written by Eulalia (Cooper) Eldred over 50 years later, is a vivid picture of this famous pioneer event.

          The following years on this "homestead" were years of rough living, hard work and privation.  A succession of bad seasons, with ensuing poor crops, proved, eventually to be insurmountable obstacles, so in the fall of 1903, 12 years after moving to Oklahoma, Louis Eldred disposed of his homestead and moved to Fort Madison, Iowa, where his brother, Caleb, was living.

          During the last months of 1903 and the winter of 1904, the family lived in Fort Madison, where Louis Eldred worked for a man named Frank Webber, who had a coal and wood business, and the children went to school.  In the spring of 1904 Louis met an old sea captain named Campbell, who owned an island in the Mississippi River called Peel's Island.  It was a 500 acre tract of land all timbered with maple trees except about 60 acres, which were cleared. Louis made a deal with the captain to cut the timber and in return was to have all the produce he could raise on the island.  This he did, selling his produce in Fort Madison.  His wife helped by selling dressed fish in a nearby hamlet on the mainland.  The family had cows, pigs, chickens and other farm produce. Louis' mother stayed with them during a part of this time, which continued until mid-winter of 1904/1905.

          In the early spring of 1905 the Mississippi River threatened to flood Peel's Island, so Louis Eldred rented a small farm on Penitentiary Hill, close to Fort Madison and over-lapping the State Penitentiary.  Here the family took up residence and here the youngest child was born.

          The following spring, there was a good deal of public discussion about the opportunities in South Texas.  At last Louis Eldred joined a company of men, some 20 in number, with whom he went to look at this new country for himself.  As a result he decided to move to Houston, Texas.  He returned to Fort Madison, packed up immediately, moved and the family arrived in their new- and final- home at Thanksgiving time, 1905.

          Louis and his two eldest sons found work with a lumber mill. They also tried charcoal burning from mill waste, but gave it up.  The sons also tried cotton raising, but cows ate the crop. About 1912 Louis secured work in the shops of the Southern Pacific R.R., where he worked for several years. His two older sons became apprenticed in the shops of the same Railroad, and all of them worked there until 1922.  At this time a widespread strike on the Railroad ended their railroad careers.  Later Louis engaged in general carpenter work and his sons secured employment in the sheet metal business.

          In the late 1920s Louis' health began to fail. During the last 8 years of his life he was an invalid.  He was a man of great fortitude and a lifelong member of the Baptist Church, where he was a deacon for many years. He was a consistent church worker, especially in the Sunday School and choir. He was a member of the Carpenters Division, Railroad Carmens' Union.


CHILDREN OF LOUIS AND EULALIA (COOPER) ELDRED.

James William, b. Nov 4 1887, on the farm near Climax, Kansas

d. Oct 16 1888, same place. Buried in a cemetery
near Eureka, Kansas.

Christena Mae, b. Nov 22 1889, on same farm as James.

"Tena" Living, 1949, at 12318 Mae's Drive, Houston, Texas

m. Aug 10 1909, at Houston, Texas, Robert W. Oates, son

of Charles Henry & Annie Eliza (Singleton) Oates, of Houston, Texas. He was b. Oct 19 1885, and d. Dec 9 1953, from a heart attack while deer hunting.

Charles Henry Oates and Annie Eliza Singleton were married Oct 7 1884.  they lived in an area east of Houston known as Oates Prairie. Charles was a cattleman and rancher.  Their house was located where the James G. Whittier School is now, on Interstate 10 in Jacinto City.  Four children were born:  Robert Wyatt,  Charles Henry Jr,  Annie Lucinda  and Bertha Eliza.  Charles died in 1896, leaving Annie with four children under the age of 10.  She kept the ranch and cattle, giving each child their share when they married.  Charles is buried in the Oates Prairie cemetery off the Wallisville Road, in Houston. Annie died on Feb 24 1932, and is buried in the Forest Park Cemetery in Houston.
        Robert Wyatt Oates was b. Oct 19 1885, d. Dec 9 1953, at San Marcos, Texas, and is buried in Forest Park Cemetery, Houston, Texas.  In the early years of the marriage of  Robert Wyatt  and  Christena Mae Eldred,  Robert  was a cattleman, later a logging contractor for Harrisburg Lumber Company.  He and Mae lived on the corner of Market Street and Oates Road, in a house they built after they were married.  The first four children were born in this house.  After Robert's younger sister, Bertha, Died, the family moved to the homestead with Robert's mother.  Here the younger daughter was born.  When the two older daughters started to school, they stayed in town with Mae's parents, but when Ruby reached school age, the family moved to the Harbor Addition.  Here they lived unil 1931 when they built the house at 12318 Oates Lane.  In 1947-48 when Interstate 10 was beginning to be constructed, Robert purchased a house from the rite-of-way that had lumber in it from the house of his grandparents, James Wyatt and Lucinda Huffman Oates.  Robert was born in this house.  This house was moved to property Robert owned on Mae Drive, and he and Mae lived here until his death in 1953.  In December 1953, Robert Mae and Dave Furr, a cousin of Robert's, visited their daughter, Ruby and family, in Martindale, Texas.  Robert, Dave, and Bobby, Ruby's son, went deer hunting near Wimberley early one morning. Robert got his deer- but in doing so, overexerted himself, suffered a heart attack and died.  He is buried in Forest Park Cemetery, next to his mother and wife.

Charles Henry Jr Oates was b. Jul 8 1888, d. May 25 1924, at Harrisburg Texas, m. Amelia Margaret Dereck.

Annie Lucinda Oates was b. Sep 29 1891, d. Sep 4 1976 at Houston, Texas, m. Archie Mark Norsworthy.

Bertha Eliza Oates was b. Jul 10 1894, d. Feb 25 1920 and is buried next to her father in Oates Prairie Cemetery, m. Zack Dunn. Their marriage was annulled.

Children of Robert & Christena (Eldred) Oates:

Marion Arietta b. Jan 7 1911. Living 1955 

m. Oct 17 1928, Victor Henry Anders, who was b. Dec 12 1905, in Houston, Texas.
d. Aug 26 1997

Children of Victor and Marion Arietta (Oates) Anders

Victor Henry, Jr. b. May 3 1929

m. Jan 21 1949, at Houston, Texas, Peggy Locklin, b. Apr 21 1931
James Wyatt, b. Sep 14 1931
Donald Ray, b. Sep 11 1933

 
Annie Eulalie, b. Sep 15 1913. Living, 1955, in Sugar Land, Texas bq m. Sep 15 1932, Price Overman Evans, who was b. Mar 17 1908, in Montezuma, IN.

Children of Price and Annie Eulalie (Oates) Evans

Charles Earl, b. Nov 8 1938
Sharon Gail, b. Sep 22 1941
Robert Evan, b. Dec 29 1948

 
Ruby Leona, b. Jul 18 1915. Living in Marion, Texas with daughter, Shirley.

m. Dec 14 1931, Harry Paul Hanagriff, who was b. Jan 26 1909, in Franklin, LA

Children of Harry and Ruby Leona (Oates) Hanagriff

Shirley Jean, b. Nov 7 1933
Robert Harry, b. Apr 12 1940

Dorothy Lucinda, b. Jul 22 1917. Living, 1955

m. Jan 11 1937, Aaron Domingue, who was b. Dec 29 1916, in Port Arthur, Texas

Children of Aaron and Dorothy Lucinda (Oates) Domingue

Ronald Leon, b. Oct 7 1942
Frances Lynn, b. Mar 10 1945
Dale Larry, b. Jan 11 1947

Bertha Luella, b. Jul 31 1920. Living, 1955

m. (1st) Aug 25 1939, Joseph LeRoy Hall, Jr from whom she was divorced May 15 1943. He was b. Dec 12 1917 , in Houston, Texas, and died by accident, Aug 26 1946.
m. (2d) Aug 24 1943. A remarriage to her divorced husband.
m. (3d) Nov 12 1948, in Houston, by Rev R. W. McCann,
J.C. Owens, who was b. Aug 31 1922 at Mexia, Texas
Children of J.C. and Bertha Luella (Oates) Owens

Cynthia Dianne, b. Sep 3 1949
Sue Darlane, b. 1950

John Melvin, b. Aug 7 1893, at Stillwater, Oklahoma
        "Melvin" Living 1949, at Box 58, R.F.D. #4, Houston, Texas

Harry Eugene, b. Jan 25 1895, at Stillwater, Oklahoma
         "Harry" Living in 1949, at 1308 Genoa St, Houston, Texas

Herbert Leonard b. Dec 24 1899, at Orlando, Oklahoma
         "Leonard" Living 1949, at 7213 Greenville St, Houston, Texas

Luella Amy b. Aug 17 1905, at Fort Madison, Iowa
         "Lula" Living 1949, with her mother at 7117 Greenville St, Houston 10, Texas.
                 m. Sep 27 1924, Dewey T. Dyer, from whom she separated. No children.

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A LETTER, HANDWRITTEN BY SUSANNA EULALIE COOPER, THE WIDOW OF LOUIS H. ELDRED, AS TYPED BY SHIRLEY STEDMAN. SUSANNA DIED 25 AUG 1950. HER STORY OF THE FAMILYS MOVING FROM THEIR HOME IN FORT MADISON, IOWA TO HOUSTON, TEXAS.

Houston, Texas
January 27, 1950

Dear Cousins & Family,

Well, we are getting quite a nip of your weather - we have had such good weather for fall plowing and housebuilding, but this change from balmy spring weather has closed down the sound of _____ hammer noises.  Well I enjoy this industry manifest in homebuilding but Houston is getting outgrown for soon they will have to move some of the Islands to build on. Now the people are studying how to get rid of surface waters or order a lot of house boats.  Ha!  Well, Arthur, I thought maybe you could get a "glymspe" of what Houston and the hustling people has done in side of the 44 years we have been here.  Lula was 3 months old when I started for Texas.  Louis (Susanna's husband, Louis Eldred) was already here - came with a carload of home seekers.  20 men who had money wanted to see Texas.  They chartered a train each paying $10.00 for 2 weeks fare there and back to Fort Madison, Iowa.  He checked his toolbox as baggage and got a building contract in Galveston on a big hotel.  Wrote me and said have the Old Man Parker & Son box for shipment - sell the cows and heifers and put 3 nice meat hogs in barrel, gather the apples and box my canned fruit and order a big furniture boxcar and ship to Houston.  Mr Parker, an old man 65 years old, has helped Louis cut maple trees given us for cutting them in sawmill stock for to make nice furniture of.  And as we had been on the 500 acres of island 2 years and were warned we better get ready to move as every 25 years old Mississippi took a notion to overflow the island.  We had had the 80 acres of tillable land belonging to an old sea captain that had named the White Swan Passenger ship for years, he had a fine home built on the island, but his wife died and left him with 1- 20 year old son so when he met Louis took a notion to him saying he liked to help him out so told him to cut all the maple logs he could, paying him for cutting and gave him the use of the land.  We had 58 acres in corn ____ in potatoes & all kind of garden truck, heads of cabbage measuring 30 inches around the heads.  A neighbor had a fine big sow, she had 12  'teets'  and 16 little pigs.  She gave me the baby pigs and that was the pigs Mr Parker put up for meat.  Which I put on its way south.  Now I didn't like Iowa as I could see no chance for young boys unless the people like us had money or a farm.  So after getting the advise of old residents that told me Texas was a fine place for youngsters to school them first and fully.  Well I always bless the day I decided to open the door of opertunity for my 3 boys and 2 girls.  Came by father's home in Ceres on way down. Papa always wanted to come to Texas.  You see, he was all through the South during the War between the States but Mother always said Kansas was good enough for her.  You know they always had a good home, their children at first was 3 boys and 8 girls but Mother was a helpful frugal homekeeper and father was never idle.  I remember when he worked for his Irish neighbors building for $1.00.  But after being in Kansas long enough to get something growing he broke out land to farm and 5 acres to peach, apple and all kinds of fruit.  After the 2d year we had 40 acres farming land and peaches began to bring fruit, but was short for stock land.  He bought 160 acres for pasture with split rails but had lots of trouble with deer and antelope jumping the fence. So after years he made a trip to Old Oklahoma and made a trip and traded off our little 40 near Williamsburg.  It was too small and Robert was looking for more chances to establish his future so we all bundled up and drove down to OK.  I was 17 then.  So we had 30 head of horses and our 2 saddle ponies.  So Mother drove the am spring wagon, I drove a loaded wagon, Father, Mary, Robert on horses transferred our stock in 4 days, 80 miles to our place at Ceres.  The place we traded off in Kansas the stock law was put in effect and pasturing by the head was most out of reach - even young stock had to have confine fence.  They liked the south very much and children's schooling was much better but when father died after coming to the Strip he wanted mother to come live with me.  Father was 72 years old when he got hurt causing paralysis - 6 years could never walk.  Mother came home with me after funeral at Ceres, OK, and lived with us __ years.  I took her and layed her in Ceres family cemetery beside father.

Now about the Older Colvins family - Now after we all came from Ohio and 1870 Grandpa Stephens and old school teacher and Dr. (country doctor) you see they had sons:

SARAH & STACY STEPHENS (John Stacy Stephens - Sarah Phares his wife)- John (first still born), James Arthur, Stacy Henry, Samuel Preacher, Enoch Eligah, William Phares (died 2d year in Kansas), Rebecca Jane (Cooper), Naomi Ann (Powell-Colvin), Sarah Mary (Harrison), Nancy Lydia (Woodworth), Barbra Lucretia (Benedict).

Moved from Marietta, Ohio 1870 March

Grandpa Stephens owned an Ohio Valley Home and made maple syrup from 7 maple syrup trees.  Traded his holdings in Ohio for large tract of land situated in Franklin near Williamsburg, Kansas, 50 miles s. east of Topeka and 20 miles sw of Ottawa, the county seat of Franklin Co, Kansas.

Names of Stephens 12 children and married - Davis - 1 son, 1 girl: Todd - 2 sons.

8 families sold all their real estate and stock and all pooled their holdings, chartered a big boat on the Ohio running up the Mississippi as far as Fort Madison, Iowa, then come to Missouri River to Kansas City they ____ new town.  The 4 Todd men, my dadie James Cooper, Uncle Stacy Stephens, Uncle James Stephens and John Pharis Stephens, minister, and Samuel, a student.  They came ahead after father and Uncle Stacy got home from the War in the States.  Father & Uncle Stacy (bugler) James Cooper captain of 92 Division. The men came ahead in 67-68 to break land and build house for 4 families.  All worked as a united force to provide for so many.  I was 4 years old and remember as yesterday that trip up the Rivers.  Now the 2 Colvin Brothers lived about 40 miles north of Marietta but finally we were not acquainted with them until Jimmie Powel Aunt Omie's husband came to Kansas.  Aunt Omie came in time for the birth of an expected baby.  Well, when the twins were born the little girl they called Lillie Dale and the little boy died at birth.  They named him Jimmie, that started the Stephens Cemetary, Home.  Well, before the next year ended, Billie their 20 year old son took very sick.  The Dr said pneumonia so he was next in cemetary.  So Billie Powell took down sick and all summer and he died.  Then his brother came to his funeral from Marris County horseback, they changed the address so the other brother and family were _____ ___ _______, Grandma Powell to Kate and Uncle Stacy and she lived with them all the rest of her life, Council Grove was the address then.  I had two uncles living in Council Grove for years.  They were old then and we lost them in the _______ of the wheel of time.  After that time S & J can't tell you much more of how Aunt Omie met Samuel Colvin but Arthur was the first child born to them after they moved near us 1/2 mile east of Agricola - we lived still 2 miles east of them.

I am so tired of writing - ask me any questions you want and I'll try to tell you.  My memory is somewhat stale but as I get older all those things come to me at times so plain but children I feel so lonely of all the dear ones I used to be with and see from day to day.  Where is those dear ones of my childhood and the sense of loss come "tapping" at my heart.  Tell me they are safe from all worry and danger but I'm glad I tried hard to fill my small nich in the drama of life's long land.  No, Lila has never come again.  I hope she will - Lula did not get to see her at all. Guess she as a nurse must be very busy these days and a veteran's hospital would no doubt find many soldiers in a bad shape to be young and spry.  Now Arthur & Annie (Arthur Benson Colvin and his wife, Anna Bohner), don't wait on me but send along any news of any and all the Colvin family. Remember they are all I have left - cousins.
Fathers, Mothers, Uncles, Aunt Mary, Cousins, (Aunt L____ she don't forget me)

Compiled and typed by Richard Weightman

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