Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-19
A MAN OF ACTION.
Irish Emigrant Became Millionaire
james Stevenson Dead.

OLD POINT COMFORT. Va, Feb. IL
James Stevenson OF Boston. Mass, the father
OF Grace Stevenson, whose disappearance
nearly year ago is still one OF the I'M
solved mysteries Of that city. has just died
at Hotel Chamberlain here. His death was
not unexpected. He had been seriously i'll
for five months. and came South in order to
escape the rigorous northern winter. He
was accompanied by his eldest son, Allie,
and u trained nurse. A few days ago the
older son returned, leaving a younger son,
Ben, to assist the nurse in the care OF his
father. Mr.. Stevenson had been one Of
the prominent men of affairs. principally In
a real estate way, for the past twenty years
or more in Boston. His transactions from
time to time startled the real estate market,
and he was long regarded aS one of the
boldest and shrewdest men in the business in
this city. In certain circles he was proba-
bly, one OF the most talked-of men in Bos-
ton, but, owing to the fact that he had never
figured prominently in public affairs, he was
always u sort of mystery to many people
who have heard OF him. He was born near
Belfast, Ireland, about sixty-one years ago,
and as Il young man came to this country
after having served in the Twentynrst
He practically began life in this
country in Maiden as house
painter, which trade he learned after
coming here. Soon after learning his trade
he started in business for himself. From
painting houses to owning them was
natural step for Mr.. Stevenson, and once his
attention was turned in that direction that
settled it. He studied real estate conditions
little by little, until he finally mastered every
detail of the business, and was credited with
the ability to figure out the largest combina-
lions moro quickly and more surely than
any man in the market. He had as high us
S5.000,0O worth Of real estate ut one time;
that is to say the assessed value of property
in which he held large equity aggregated
S5.O00.000. He was Of medium height
thick set, with u smooth sh1ven face, deep
grnyish blue eyes, eark brown hair
streaked with gray and closely cut. His
head was firmly set on sturdy neck and
broad shoulders; he had deep chest, long
body and rather short legs. He was the i'm
personation of physical energy. His rest.
less eyes saw everything. When he was
ward slightly and little to one side. then
looked his visitor over with keen, sharp
gaze. His face showed the deep, strong lines
Of the man ofactiOn ra her than OF words. and
he had the set jaws that always seem
to accompany men of determination. His
forehead was rather low, but tho head was
broad. He usually car led cane when he
was around town, and the sound of that cane
was rs we'll known as the footsteps OF most
men are to his acquaintance, his friends and
employees. For q number OF years he was re-
garded by some OF the big real estate men
as sort of joke, but these men long ago
got over laughing at the Joke" they
learned in the course OF time to respect
and fear him, and when he put through
the Park square deal about Is years ago
he jumped to the forefront of the real
estate Spectators. The plot o! land OPP
posite the Providence station had bAsn
for number of years u bone of conten-
tion among real estate men. The city
owned the property, and when it was
announced finally that Stevenson had put
through the deal with the city the old
timers wondered. They wondered where
he was going to raise the money,but he raised
II, and then he put up a lot of low buildings on
the square which brought him in big rem
tai for Il number OF years, and when he sold
his equity about two years ago he received
for it II very tidy sum. He surprised every
body by weathering the recent panic and
holding on to his property, but this did not
surprise those nearest him. for he always
had great deal of property from which he
derived a weekly income, and with this
money he was frequently able to pay the
heavy rates of interest demanded for large
sums OF money in the past few years and
thus weathered the financial gale in
married Miss Grace Dever OF Maiden
81 years ago and had four daugh-
tiers and three sons, all of whom are
living. The family has lived for number
of years out on the Beacon street side OF
Corey hill, in a plain two-story wooden
building. and the summers have been spent
at Manchestcr-by-the-Sea where Mr.. Steven
son bought Il fine summer residence. Both
of these residences are held by Mrs. Steven
son. Mr.. Stevenson never took an active
part in politics. although he was for years
well known III political circles in city hall.
He was one of the men who kept ''tabs' on
''inside."