The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-08-15
Quincy Herald, August TO-
Obituary.

Seldom indeed has more painful duty de-
volyed upon US as Journalist than that o.
chroniclng The death of our distinguished tel
lOw-ciiizen, Colonel Samuel b. Stephens, who
died at his residence on the night of the All
instant.
Colonel Stephens was a native of New bern
n. c., and graduated at Chapel Hill College in
The same State. After graduating he studied
law under Judge CASTOR and was admitted TO
practice 10y the Supreme Cnurl of North Caro-
lima. He soon after removed To this State while
il was yet Territory, and settling in this place
entered upon The practice Of hi, choSen pr0frs-
sion He rose rapidly and took leading posi-
ton AT the har, even among such practitioners a.
Il krr, CaTmack. BlliZcll. BruckenboTough DlI-
P"nI and o;her distinguished lawyers of that
period. He sound and able lawyer a
CLOSE and l,.ica reasnneT and at the liar il was
generally conceded that he had few equals and
no superirrs la The State. His well known
ability, fine address and popular manners gave
him strong hold upon the confidence and favor
of the people with whom he came in contact
and they never failed 10 honor him with any and
every position within their sifi sought by him.
He sci we'd as a delegate from this county in the
convention held at ST. Joscphs that ordained the
Constitution under which Florida was admitted
into The Federal Union. He served two terms
IN the Terrilnlial Legislature and for many years
ably filled the office of State Attorney in the
Middle Circuit of Florida. He was one Of the
representatives of this County in The Convention
at Tallahassee in 1860. In the year 1872 he was
President of the Democratic Convention held in
jacksonville that nominated His Excellency W
d. Bloxham for Governor, and again in 1880 be
presided over The Democratic Convention held
AT Gainesville that nominated the same gentle
man for the same high position. He belonged
to two benevolent societies. that of the l. o. o.
F. and The f. & A. NJ He was a remarkably
bright aud well informed Mason, well versed in
all the tenels and work of the Order, and fully
identified with it's history in this State. For
many years he served as w. NJ. of Washington
Lodge No. 2, and III. p in the Chapter He
served at least two terms g. Nj. of the Grand
Lodge of Florida, and no member stood higher
among the fraternity or was more favorsbly
known.
Colonel Stephens was a man of strong and
positive feelings, whole-sOuled and generous in
his bearing and intercourse with his friends. On
account of his retiring and rather secluded hab-
its great injustice was often done him by those
who did not know him intimately. By such be
was often considered morose and selfish, while
in truth he was the reverse; man of noble ard
generous impulses, ever sympathizing with the
distressed. aiding the weak and struggling
brother, both in word and deed, and no one seek
ing aims of him, whether brother or stranger,
was ever turned away emptY-handed or without
sufficient to enable him 10 procure al least one
meal. He was the life OF the social circle. AMI
mated, wellinfnrmed and c0nsideraie OF TIE
tastes and condition of all. He was kind In
dulgent and loving husband and parent per-
fecily devoted 10 his family and their pleasure
and happiness His death Is . sore bereave-
ment, NOT alone to his family and immediate cir-
Gle of friends, but to the entire community
His wholesome advice and wise counsel Will
be greatly missed Ii the county and blAte 81
large. May he rest In peace.