Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-07

R. Harrison Johnson. c. W. Church, Will
liam A. Wimsatt and Fred J. White. The
interment will be in Rock Creek cemetery.
The deceased was the junior member of
the lumber firm of Church d Stephen
son. He was born in this city, November
|. 800. and was a son of the late John
II. Stephenson. a pioneer eXpresSman
who ran The first fast freight line between
this city and Baltimore and then one of
the prominent business men Of the city.
Thomas p. Stephenson passed his early
years in this city and later entered the
public schools. Subsequently he entered
Columbian University and at the close of
his college life entered the lumber firm of
Smith Il Wimsatt, where he learned the
business in all its branches.
His Business Career
He was connected with this firm from
1873 until October. .1sTo when he pur-
chased the interest of c. r. and -. w.
Church in the firm of c. B. Church &
Sons. and the firm name was changed to
Church x Stephenson. The offices were
located at Sth and Maryland avenue
southwest. where they remained for near
ly thirty. years.
Mr.. Stephenson was one of the promi-
nent factors in the growth of the city
during the period of his business activi-
ties. He always stood for greater and
more beautiful Washington. and he was
irrevocably opposed. it is said. to the
erection of shoddy and cheap buildings
in any part of the Capital city. Many OF
the houses of substantial character in
different parts of the city are due di-
rectly to his timely advice.
In 1880 Mr.. Stephenson married Miss
Clara Marguerite White, a daughter of
the late Capt. Joseph White. superintend-
ent of the Norfolk and Washington
Steamboat Company. Four children were
to then1-Jnhn and loser nh
White Stephenson, Miss Agnes Stephenson
and Mrs. William E. NOVEL;.
Mrs. Stephenson died in December 1889
and several years afterward Mr.. Stephen
son married Miss jamie Hope Sands. a
daughter of Mr.. Thaddeus Sands of An
napolis, Md. member of the naval
family of that name. One child. Miss
Dorothy Hope Stephenson, was born OF
this union.
Social and Fraternal Relations.
The generosity and genial spirits of Mr.
Stephenson were the subject of frequent
comment. The pleasurable associations
of his home life were especially notable
He wasaffiliated with the Board of Trade
and always took an active interest in the
Business Mems Association. which was
recently merged with the Jobbers and
Shippers Association, the two becoming
the Chamber of Commerce. He was treas
urer OF the southwest washington CIti-
zens Association and of the Lumber Elk
change; was a member of Washington
Centennial Lodge. No. II, f. A. A. NJ.
Washington Commandery. No. L.
knights Templar; Almas Temple, Mobiles
of the Mystic Shrine. and was d past
grand master of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. He was a trustee OF
Westminster Memorial Church and Ry-
land Methodist Episcopal Church and was
an active member of the Association OF
Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Co
lumbia. 1t is expected that a large mum
Der of the members of these orSaniza
tions will attend the funeral services.
The Board of Trade will be repre- scented
a. tho opseques by President Rudolph
Lester A. Barr. Samuel j. Prescott, Thorn
as W. Smith, Henry p. West and William
\. Wimsatt.