The National tribune., 1894-10-18
STEPHENSON MONUMENT.

Dedication of the Shaft to the Memory of
the Founder of the Grand Army of the
Re pubiic-Sketch OF DIR. B. r. Stephenson
o. Oct. 2, 1884, occurred at Petersburg H.
81 event oil Importance 10 the Grand Army of
IN" Republic throughout the length and
breadth OF our land. That event was the dedi-
cation Of the monument erected to the memory
Of Benjamin Franklin Stephenson, origi nator
and founder OF the Grand Army of the Re-
public
The day was susricous being one of Octo-
ber's fsirest, and the extensive and ample pro-
vision made by the little city of Petersburg
Tor the entertainment Of lis honored guests was
sppIecIated 10y the veterans. Flags nd the Ma
tional cSlors foated gaiIy in the golden Octo-
beT sunshine, and Welcome. GAR" WAS
written in every jovial vissge.
llhe procession, in which uniformed Odd
Fellows swe!ied the ranks of the veterans.
reached Rose Hill Cemetery about ~ m. There
the assemhiage gathered about the Stephenson
monument. al which the dedicatory ceremonies
TOOK place. Col }. d. Block, Of Springfield,
III, called the assembiage 10 order after VIII oh
Gen. McCleruand. also of Springfield. the
president OF the day made brief speech
Tie patriotic hymn America" was then
surg. at the close OF which Capt S. II. Blame.
o. Estlll Post, Petersburg. H., the President
OF he Boz. Stephenson Monument Association.
delivered the dedicatory address,
ment Of Illinois responded in a brief but elo.
guent address, in which he accepted the monu-
ment IN behalf Of the Department of Illinois.
and turned il over 10 T. q. Lawler Commander.
in-Chief GAR, as representing the National
organization.
Commander-in-C Chief LAWYER then responded
IN ms turn TO Commander Mcdowell in = 6ue
impromptu speech. Prayer by the Denariucnt
chaplain, Rev. J. p Alexander, Of Ashland
H. closed the mornings proceedings. An
ample dinner was served on numbers Of lopg
u les in neighboTing grove after which the
veterans and friends gathered about the speak.
er's stand and listened TO the masterly address
OF Commander Mcdowell, the orator of the
day, on the life and benefcent achievement of
d.. Stephenson. THIS address Was followed by
brief but eloquent tributes from Commander
n-Chlef LAWYER, eX-Gov Oglesby, affection
steiy known throughout Illinois as Uncle
DICK Maj. James A. Connolly Of Sprin gfield
the eloquent Repu blican candidate for Congress
IN the Seventeenth Illinois District, and Cant
Howe, Of Ohio one Of DR. Stenhenson,s FIRST
aud most Jealous helpers in the organization
OF the GAR
There was present, among other notsbles,
Christian c. Riebsame. one of the six suryiy-
ing charter members Of the first GAR Post
ever organized, that at Decatur-Dunham
Post. ].
The life Of Dr.. Stephenson has been so often
sketched that II is, perhaps, not necessary 10
dweli with any fullness on il in this connection.
Born ia 1923, in the State of Illinois, during
ITS pioneer stage, growing up in that semi
civilized atmosphere which marks the transi.
tlon period of the wilderness being metamor-
phosed INTO the blossoming garden amid the
wild freedom Of this life, close TO the great
heart of nature, b. F. Stephenson drew the
inspiration and developed the traits of chsrac-
ter which resulted in the formation of the
6Band Army of the Republic On reaching
mans estate he chose the medical profession,
winch he pursued with the intense ardor go
prominent trait of his organism. When the
civil war burst upon our country he was Que of