Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-08-25
MISSOURI STATE NEWS.
The Late Col. Joseph L. stephens.

Col. Joseph l.. Stephens, who died at
Boonville. on the 18th, was a native Nilsson
Ran, born in 1925 in Cooper County. His
rather, Lawrence G. Stephens, was a native OF
virginia and his mother, Margaret G. Moore,
was born in North Carolina. His father was a
farmer, and a man of far more than average
ability. He represented his district in the
Legislature and filed various public offices.
In his youth Joseph assisted his father upon
the farm and attended the common school,
completing his education at the Boonvile
High School, At the age of Is he began the
study OF law, but while yet a student he en-
hsted for the Mexican war, and although the
youngest In company of lis men raised in
cooper County, he was unanimously chosen
its Captain. The decisive battle of the war
was fought, however, before the company en-
tered active service, and it never got further
than Jefferson Barracks. In lS47 he completed
his legal studies and soon commanded q
widely extended and lucrative practice. In
1857 he became associated in practice with the
present U. S. Senator George G. Vest,
which partnership continued until broken
up by the war of 1861. An affec-
ton of the throat compelled him to
reiinquish the practice of his chosen profes-
sion, and in 1864 lie opened private banking
house in BOonville, and the year following
organized the Central National Bank, one of
fA@OoS
institutions in the State. In 1856, for the first
and only time in his life, Col. Stephens be-
came candidate before the people for an
elective office. He made the canvass of Coop
er, Morgan and Moniteau Counties for the
State Senate, and at the election ran ahead OF
his ticket, but as is claimed, owing to the pro-
scriptive system of registration which then
prevailed, he was defeated by George w.
Boardman. In 1872 Mr.. Stephens was one of
m OF fprC Gov
of the State before the Democratic convention,
which eventually nominated Silas Woodson.
His real strength was conceded to be unsur-
passed by that of any other individual, but to
break dead lock a new man was sought, and
the choice fell upon Judge Woodson and re-
suited in his election, since which time Mr..
stephens has confined his attention largely to
his bank, which, under his superior manage
ment, is one of the leading financial institu
lions in the State.
Mr.. stephens was married in 1858 to Miss
Martha Gibson, of Boonville, lady of educa-
ton and refinement. They were blest with
family of seven children-four sons and three
daughters. Some four years ago his first wife
died, and he was married a second time to n
Miss Jones, who survives him and by whom
he has two children.
Always having a deep interest in the mater
ial progress of our State, and especially in
everything affecting peculiarly his own Sec
ton, his attention was directed to the build
ing of railroads which would build up Boon
vile and develop Central Missouri He was
understood to be the owner of valuable rail-
road property. The road recently built and
terminating at Versailles was owned in whole
Orin part by him.
Col. Stephens was Chief of the Governors
staff, and by order of Governor Crittenden the
flag on the State Arnory was placed at half
mast in token of respect