The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-02-15
Original Settler Of City and Resi-
dent Here for Nearly 70 Years
Died Wednesday Evening
WAS PROMINENT in POLITICS
Twice Elected Sheriff of the County
and Justice of the Peace for Is
Years-Death Comes as Result
of an Attack of Pneumonia

James M. Stebbins, former sheriff
of the county and formerly Justice Of
the Peace in the city, died at his
home on Park avenue shortly after
five o'clock Wednesday evening after
long illness from pneumonia. Mr..
Stebbins had been confined to his
home for many weeks and for the past
ten days his condition. has been re-
garded as critical. However he had
shown slight improvement and his
relatives watching at the bed side had
hoped for his recovery. Early We'd
nesday morning he began to show
turn for the worse and he was de1irious
most of the day. Late in the after
noon he grew weak and just after five
O'Clock the end came suddenly and
peacefully.
The death of James Mi1ligan Steb-
bins marks the passing of man who
had been very active in the life of
Kenosha since its inception. Mr..
Stebbins was the son of Salmon
Stebbins, pioneer Methodist
preacher. He was born at Saltwater,
New York, Nov. 4, 1929. The father
of Mr.. Stebbins had been minister
in the Methodist church for more than
fifty years and in 1886 he was elected
as missionary to the West by the
general church body. When the
family came West the younger Steb-
bins came to Southport. He was a
member Of the band Of original set
tiers of lthe village who reached
Southport in the spring Of 1887. The
Ill, and Mr.. Stebbins remained there
with his parents for the next seven
teen years. In 1854 Mr.. Stebbins
came to Kenosha and he had since re-
sided here. He spent his first three
years in the city clerking in a store
after which he went into business for
himself. After two years of mercan-
tile life he was elected sheriff of the
county in 1860, and during the stirring
times of war he gained reputation
as sheriff. He had many tits with
the soldiers who we're encamped near
the city and telling the stories of
these war time days brought a great
deal of pleasure to Mr.. Stebbins in
later years.
After his term Of sheriff was over
he engaged in the manufacture of
boots and shoes in the city continuing
this business until 1868. The follow
ing year he was again elected to the
Office of sheriff. In 1871 he was elected
to the Office of justice of the peace
and he held this office for more than
sixteen years. He also held the Office
of alderman flor five years and was a
member Of the county board for four
years.
Mr.. Stebbins, until few years ago,
took great deal Of interest in politics
and was considered one of the leaders
of the Republican party in this part
of the state.
Some sixs' ago Mr.. Stebbins
was forced to retire from active life
and since that time he had become
almost blind.
The deceased was one of the found
ers of the Kenosha lodge of Masons
a nd had held nearly all of the Offices
in the Blue Lodge and inRthe chapter.
He was also member of the Knights
Templar, belonging to the Racine
commandery.
Early in life Mr.. Stebbins was mar
ried to Miss Esther Simmons
and she with six children survives
him. The children are Mrs. Frank
Loomis, Of Kenosha; Zalmon G. Dick
Stebbins, of New Orleans; Ben Steb-
bins and Mrs. j. K. Wheeler, of Keno
sha; Mrs. R. P. McKinnon, of Chica-
go; Miss Elizabeth Stebbins and Mrs.
Douglas K. Newell, of Kenosha.