Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-03-23
SENATOR
STEPHENSON DEAD
PIONEER ZIMMERMAN SUCcUMBS
TO BRIEF ILLNESS AT
AGE OF SO YEARS.
LEAVES $4O,OOO,OOO ESTATE
Took Important Part in Development
of Wisconsin and Michigan for
Past Fifty Years - Noted
for His Generosity.

Marinette-Isaac Stephenson, former
Congressman and United States sena-
tor and one of the richest men in
Wisconsin. died at his home here. He
had been sick about week as the re-
suit of a general breakdown due to
his age, nearly SO. He was estimated
TO be worth $40,000,000
Senator Stephenson, while in Wash
ington. was the oldest as well as one
per house of congress. Also he ranked
as one of the greatest producing lum-
bermen in the nation.
The principal scene of his opera
tons was in northern Michigan, that
section owing large part of its de-
velopment in the numbering and min
ing industries to his efforts His prop
critics still are among the largest hold
ings in the state, and his various in
dustries employ thousands of men.
Born in New York on June %, 1929,
he spent his early youth on his faith
ers farm and in working in the lum-
Der woods. He practically had no
schooling. At 16 he left home and
went to Milwaukee. He found en-
ployment with the Wells Lumber COM
pany and was associated with Daniel
Wells Jr. for many years. In 1857 he
became an operator of lumber camps
in his own interest.
His early political career included
two terms in the Wisconsin legislature
and three terms in congress.
In May, 1907, he was appointed to
fill the unexpired term of Senator John
c. Spooner, resigned, and was elected
to succeed himself, in 1909. It was in
connection with this election that the
Wisconsin legislature. after a lengthy
investigation of the senator's cam.
paign, filed charges with the United
States senate, and asked an investi-
cation into the election, alleging that
money had been used to unduly influ-
ence votes. The investigating commit
tee went into the matter exhaustively,
and while they showed that Mr. Ste
phenson spent more than $4,000 TO
BE elected, no undue influence of graft
was shown and he was retained in his
seat by vote of the senate, 40 to "a.
He retired from the senate in 1915 at
the expiration of his term.
Senator Stephenson always remain
ed plain, unassuming man. His
greatest pleasure each year was to
gather together a number of friends
who enjoyed the outdoor life and
trough it" at an old lumber camp on
his properties above Escanaba, Mich.
Senator Stephenson owned the Bo-
nita, one Of the finest steam yachts
in the great lakes. He seldom found
time to enjoy the craft, but he found
great pleasure in lending it to old
friends, soldiers associations, lodges,
and similar organizations of his towns
people.
He was always open-handed with
Marinette, and scattered about the
city various buildings, parks, and 9th
er memorials.
Isaac Stephenson published a book
of memoirs in 1915, which he called
"Recollections of a Long Life" The
book details the authors own early
experiences in New Brunswick, his
trip to Wisconsin. and early expert
ences in the north woods and also
gives some interesting personal rem
iniscences of politics in which many
men figure who are still prominent po-
litically today.
Mr.. Stephenson also philosophises
and declares that the high cost of liv-
ing at the time he wrote (1915) was
not the result of high prices, but the
demand for Injuries and novelties.
He says that since he has been 20
years old he has found four or five
hours sleep a day sufficient.