Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-22
nos. soss L. STEVENS. LID.

/.
this morning for his ne~ duties a. Minis
ter Resident from the Eni.ed states to
the Hawaiian Islands.
John Ieayist stevens was born In NJ
Vernon, ia this county, August ], fsD
lie was the soa u John AMI Charlotte.
n.yford) stevens, wh" came from Brent
wood, y. ~ and settled in NJ. Vernon
In 1905 IIis early education wa. or
tained ut MsIn~ Wesleyan seminary, and
waterviIl- Liberal in.titute-the LITTER an
Institution Of learning which WA
afterwards merged with the Cniver'
saiist Seminary now located Al
westbrook. Mr.. stevens TOOK course
Of study With the view of entering thu
Christian ministry. Entering on hi-
chosen profession at the age Of ~, ami
continuing In 1t ten years he Wa
finally compelled to give up on
account Of confirmed i'll health Of a
catarrhal nature which for some year.
affected hi. voice and rendered public
speaking both difficult aud dangerous.
In 1855 Mr.. Steven. became the partner
Of Hon. James q. Blaine In the owner
ship OF the kennebec Journal, which had
been established 10 1875 by the late Luther
Severance, and which was at that time
owned by the late WIN. II simpson Of Bel
fast, and the late Hon. Joseph Baker OF
this city. In 1863 Mr.. Blaine sold his In
terest In the paper TO the late John ).
Sayward TO become editor Of the Port
land Advertiser. The firm Of Stevens 4
years, 1853 to 1863, during which time
Mr.. Stevens had editorial control OF the
journal. From 1855 TO 1850 he was
chairman OF the Republican State Com
.fittee, and In 1850 was enc of the four
delegates at large to the Republican Ma
ti0nal Convention At Chicago, at which he
cast his vote for william IT, seward for
Presidential candidate. Commencing
with 1865. Mr.. Stevens was for live years
amrmber Of the Maine Legislature, three
In the House aud two in the senate.
Mr. stevens diplomatic career opened in
1870 by his appointment by President
Grant, IA Minister to the nited Republic
OF Uruguay and Paraguay, south
America, with residence at Montervideo
where, with his family, he remained three
years, returning To Augusta in 1873. In
1877 Mr.. stevens was appointed " Presi-
dent Hayes Minister Resident to Sweden
and Norway, which post was occupied
six years. He resided at stockholm with
his family for this period, making one
visit to this country during the time
June 10. 1850 he was commi, .ioned by
President Harrison to his present Minis
try.
Nr. Stevens was married in ist5 to Miss
Mary l.. Smith OF lIallowcil, by whom ht
has had four children, two having died In
Infancy, aud two daughters yet living.
During tb. Presidential canvass of 1887
lsss MIR. stevens was invited to assume
editorial charge OF the political columns
OF the Journal, to the discharge OF which
relation he brought the results OF his long
experience in journalism, which duties were
performed to great acceptance until hi,
withdrawal from the paper, July 3, iss9
These dates give but the merest outline
10 career of great vigor, usefulness and
ability MIR. stevens editorship Of tn,
Journal in the stirring political times pre-
cedlng. during and after the War of the
Rebellion, was marked by great capacity
and force. His style OF editorial compost.
and always heightened. His knowIedg,
Of men has been remarkable
and his skill "a a political
organizer was recognized by the Republi
can party in making him Its chairman dur
ing that period Of our country's most re
markable history. This was the period OF
the anti-slavery movement, the ryins
years Of civil war, and the up-building and
reconstruction after its close Devoted to
the principles of the Republican part,
Mr. stevens has always been widely
consulted regarding its policy. His cool
level Judgment, wisdom and ssgscity. love
OF country and loyalty to party have been
conspicuous, and his council has never
been sought or followed in vain. The
calm decisions of his well balanced mind
have many times found expression in plat
forms and resolutions by which our party
has sought strength and support from the
people of Maine. lie has been eminent as
u friend OF the State. and in Legislative
halls. upon the popular platform, ani
through the press has devoted voice aud
pen and energies to whatsoever. In his juls-
nent, would best promote her good and
the moral, social and intellectual welfare
Of her people.
In his several diplomatic stations Mr.
Stevens has represented our great Nation
with credit and dignity. His arrival in
South America WAS amid the tsmult OF one
OF the domestic revolutions Of the R.pub-
lies, and he was very influential In bring ing
about peace between the opposing factions,
which has continued to the present time
While In Stockholm Mr.. Stevens devoted
much Of his leisure to literary work. The
result of this WAS n "lIistory of Gustavus
Adolphus" and of Sweden during the
Thirty Years Wa, which was published
=