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Below is a family biography included in The History of Cherokee County, Kansas included within the History of Kansas by William G. Cutler, published by A. T. Andreas, 1883.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. A. STEPHENSON, farmer and proprietor of marble works, P. O. Galena, Section 16, Town 3, was born in Kentucky December 18, 1824. At the age of fifteen he began life as a laborer on a farm adding teaming to his occupation when he was eighteen. In 1852, he went to Indiana, where he carried on his farm business five years. In 1857, he went to Illinois and remained three years on a farm, and then was in the stock business seven years. In 1866, he came to Kansas and located in Lowell Township. Cherokee County, and got treaty right, and worked five years with Joplin Marble Works as agent. He built a shop and started marble works in Galena for himself in 1881, and now carries on both farm and marble works. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also a local preacher. He organized the First Cherokee Church at Baxter Springs in 1866; organized one at Lowell the same year; at Wirtonia in 1867, and at Fly Creek in 1867. He was married to Miss Sorilda Richey, of Nicholas County, Ky. They have eight children - Thomas S., Elizabeth F., S. H., William H., May E., Lucy J., Oliver S. and Johnnie G.

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This family biography is one of 289 biographies included in The History of Cherokee County, Kansas included within the History of Kansas by William G. Cutler, published by A. T. Andreas, 1883.  For the complete description, click here: Cherokee County, Kansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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