JOHN STEPHENS. Among the most intelligent and best read men in the precinct may be mentioned the worthy old gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born August 18, 1827, in Simpson County, Ky; his parents were Wallace and Mary (Beasley) Stephens, both natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer and died in 1852, aged eighty-seven years; the mother died in 1846, aged sixty-two years. Both parents were active and life-long members of the Baptist Church. John began for himself at the age of twenty-three years; he settled first on a farm in Simpson County; this farm consisted of 126 acres; he lived there twenty-six years; in 1874 he came to his present location, where he has seventy-five acres. He was married, April 28, 1849, to Martha Mayes, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Bridges) Mayes, both deceased. They were members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Stephens was born August 16, 1826, in east Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephens were born seven children-Mary Elizabeth, Martha L., James T., Jemima E., and three that died in early childhood. Mary E. is the wife of J. Settle; George W., Mary J., John H., Alice and Leslie are their children. Martha L. is the wife of Joseph Garret; Florence, John H. and Rosa E. are their children. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are members of the Baptist Church.
