Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-05-12
Mr.. !. II. STEPHENSON IS DEAD

notable changes been wrought @
losses sustained by the hand G
death than during the last decade
In to-day's issue we are calIe'
upon to chronicle the death of MI
IL. H. Stephenson, whose proml
Ilnence in the county makes hi
name familiar one in every house
hold and to every child, and who
enjoyed a statewide reputation as
a lawyer and business man.
= Mr.. Stephenson had been in de-
clining health for something like
two years, a victim of organic heart
trouble which resulted in complica-
tons and terminated his life on
Monday morning, May 9Th, at 7
o'clock.
Deceased was native of High
land, born in 1910, a son of the
late Adam Stephenson, and during
his long and active life of II years,
he remained a resident of this coun-
ty.
Choosing law as his profession,
he prosecuted his studies in the law
school of Judge Brockenbrough, at
Lexington, and began the practice
of his profession in 1867, having
served in the Confederate army as
first lieutenant of >the 18th regi-
ment, his company being composed
of Valley men.
For nearly thirty years he was
Commonwealth Attorney for
Highland and was regarded as enc
Of the most vigorous and palnstak-
ing prosecuting attorneys OF Ylr-
ginia. His ability to accumulate
evidence, to complete, link link, a
chain of discriminating circumstan-
ces, made him a TERROR to evildoers
during his term of Office, and the
ablest criminal lawyers who Cross
ed swords with him at the Monte
rey bar recognized him as worthy
foeman, formidable, legal antag-
onist.
The aggressive spirit which char
acterized him as a lawyer, and con-
tributed largely to his success, was
also marked characteristic of his
business life, and he was acknoWl.
edged to be of the most sue
cessful business men in the county.
This peculiar acumen, coupled with
his untiring energy and activity,
placed him. early in life, in the
front ranks Of our most prosperous
men, and, at the time of his death,
he was by far the most extensive
landowner in the county, and
possessed of a large estate.
It is safe to assert that no cit!-
zen Of the county was better IN
formed in the matter of local his
tory, his recollection being most
remarkable, and his mind was stor-
ed with that sort of knowledge OF
men and affairs which is so easily
lost, and yet of great interest to all
of US.
He,was man of strong convic-
tons and strong friendships; he was
out-spoken and frank in his rela-
ton to, and dealings with, men,
and in the prime of his public life,
welded great influence in all the
county's public affairs.
At the time of his death he was
a director of the National Valley
Bank, of Staunton, and also of the
Citizens Bank of Highland.
Mr.. Stephenson was a member
OF the Presbyterian church, having
been converted under the preach
ing of evangelist Howard severa
years ago. Since identifying him
self with the church he has beer
jealous in its work and liberal IL
the support of its Institutions. II
the erection of the beautiful new
house of worship, just completed
by the Monterey congregation, HI
manifested great interest and con
tributed generously. While tn
church was completed during hi
lifetime, he did not live to see i
dedicated, and the fact that tn
first large assembly of people t.
meet withinits wa Is was on the oc
casion of his own funeral was
pathetic feature spoken of by man,
of MS friends.