Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-09-07
Our Candidate.

L6AAC OI EfhbNoON, WIZ plooiOAOhO
Of the n Ludington Company, was
born near Fredericton, New Bruins
wick, June Is, 1899, Scotch, Irish
and English blood runs in his veins.
His great-grandfatber was scotchman,
his father, Issac, was born in ireland,
and his mother, Elizabeth, was Of
english ancestry, her birthplace being
London. His father came to New
Brunswick when nineteen years Of age,
and settled near Fredericton, where
his son was born. In 1910 Mr.. Ste
phenson emigrated to Maine with his
family, and his son had chance (and
improved his opportunity of receiv-
ing practical education in the forests
of the Pine Tree State. Young Ste
phenson remained in Maine until 1845,
when he removed to Milwaukee, and
entered into business relations with
Jefferson Sinclair, one Of the most
prominent lumbermen of that state,
and with whom he had previously
been acquainted. Mr.. Sinclair built
the great Penobscot boom, previous to
locating in the West, and superintendent
it for six years. When young Ste
phenson arrived, the former had pur-
chased an interest in the Escanaba
mill, and bought a fine tract Of farm
ing land near GAINESVILLE, Wis. In the
summer of 1916, he put in 400 acres
of wheat. of which his sturdy young
friend from Maine broke up $50 acres
himself Tn the fall of that year,
Stephenson is found at Escanaba driv-
ing six-ox team in live, Yankee fash
ion, putting in logs and spars. In
the winter he proudly took charge of
an enormous 107-foot liberty pole, cut
at Escanaba, and hauled from Milwau-
kee to GAINESVILLE, to be there planted,
where it remains TO this day. The
huge piece of timber was given to
Rock County, Wis. Mr. Stephenson
continued in Mr.. Sinclair's employ,
either as contractor or foreman of
camps, until 1854. He spent most of
his summers in Milwaukee, engaged
principally in sailing, owning a con-
trolling interest in, and being master
of, schooner before he was twenty
one. In the spring Of 1854, he went
to Masonvillc, Mich, for Holt & Ma
son, locating pine lands and taking a
contract to stock the mill with logs
for three years. In 1857, he bought
a half interest in the property, from
Mr. Mason, but the panic of 1857
broke up the transaction, and the
purchase was abandoned. In May,
1858, as stated, no bought a quarter
interest in the n. Ludington Compa-
ny, and located in Marinette, where he
has since resided. In the fall of
1868, he became one of the owners of
the Ludington & Wells, now the Lud-
ington, Wells & Van Setback Company,
He had sixth interest, but sold it in
1868 In 1867, Mr.. Stephenson was
authorized by leading lumbermen to
commence the erection of dams, booms
and piers. now controlled by the Me-
nominee River Manufacturing Compa-
ny, for the purpose of dividing, sort
ing and handling the logs which were
cut and hauled to and into the river,
there to intermingle and cause every
imaginable trouble and confusion to
the owners. The result of his labors
is seen at Marinctte, and the supply is
now brought to its destination regu-
larly and Systematically, without jam
or confusion. Each man is as sure of
his own as if the logs had been brand
ed. Mr.. Stephenson still remains
president and manager of the
corporation, which controls all log
driving improvements, or those to be
made, upon the Menominee River and
its tributaries. In 1867 he obtained
an interest in the Peshtigo company,
William B. Ogden, president Mr..
Stephenson was vice president and
manager. and under his direction was
erected, at the mouth of the river,
one of the largest mills in the country
lie also built the immense tub and
pail factory at Peshtigo, destroyed in
the fire of 1871. The barge line of
tho Peshtigo Company, the first one
on the lakes, and considered impracti
cable Oh Lake Michigan at the time
was established by him in 1867. He
was also one Of the original promoters
Of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Co.,
aud is one Of the executive committee.
IN word, there has been no impor-