U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephenson, Andrew Jackson (1829-1903) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 701-703 ANDREW JACKSON STEPHENSON.— Probably no citizen of Clay County, West Virginia, stands higher in public estimation than does Andrew Jackson Stephenson, who for 31 years has been the efficient clerk of the Circuit and County courts. Mr. Stephenson was born April 29, 1829, in Nicholas County, Virginia, now West Virginia, and is a son of David and Nancy (Rader) Stephenson. The Stephensons are descended from an old and honorable English ancestry. The grandfather of our subject, Alexander Stephenson, married into the Ewing family, one of the most prominent in the State of Virginia. On the maternal side, the family is of Dutch extraction, and Mr. Stephenson's mother and the mother of ex- Governor George W. Atkinson were sisters, both being daughters of George Rader. David Stephenson followed an agricultural life. Andrew Jackson Stephenson was reared and educated in his native county, where he resided until 1864. In 1863 he was elected sheriff of Nicholas County, being the first official elected during the progress of the Civil War, but he did not serve. His sympathies were with the Union and as he made no secret of his convictions he suffered arrest from the Confederate authorities and at one time was incarcerated in Castle Thunder. Mr. Stephenson displayed his tact and judgment by a conservative course after the war, and much credit was given him for his influence in allaying excitement and bitter feeling incident to existing conditions. He became a member of a company of Home Guards, under Capt. B. L. Stephenson, a son of Hon. John G. Stephenson, who for 13 years was a prominent statesman in Virginia. Although Mr. Stephenson has been a consistent Democrat all his life, his public career has been so honorable that his influence extends beyond party lines. For a long period he served his party as delegate to the various conventions and as chairman of the county committees and was so prominently identified with his party's success that he was its candidate, in 1900, for the State Senate, and was elected to take the place of Senator Pierson of Fayette County, who had been commissioned an officer in the Spanish War. The Legislature, however, was overwhelmingly Republican, and he was not permitted to take his seat, his case being treated much in the same manner as was that of Senator Campbell, of Jefferson County in the same session. In 1865 Mr. Stephenson was first elected clerk of the Circuit Court and recorder of Clay County, and through subsequent re-elections he filled those positions until January 1, 1897, except one term as clerk of the Circuit Court. His popularity was demonstrated very forcibly at the last election that he was a candidate when he was running against two candidates, one for the position of clerk of the County Court and one for clerk of the Circuit Court, and was elected to both oflSces by large majorities. On July 24, 1854, Mr. Stephenson was united in marriage with Mary Jane Forsythe, who was born March 10, 1832, and is a daughter of Abraham and Jane Forsythe, whose ancestors, of English extraction, came from Augusta County, Virginia, the maternal grandfather bearing the name of Wright. Mrs. Stephenson was one of a family of eight children born to her parents. Her eldest brother was killed in the Mexican War. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have had a family of nine children, one of whom, Benjamin L., who was born February 21, 1871, died at the age of nine months. The survivors are: Glendora, who was born April 18, 1855, married T. B. Stephenson and has three children; Forsythe, who was born January 3, 1857, is unmarried; Samuel, who was born March 10, 1859, resides in Charleston and has two children; Elijah Loring, who was born May 25, 1861; Albert, who was born October 6, 1863, resides one mile from Clay Court House; Elizabeth F., who was born March 25, 1866, married John D. Carden and has five children; David H., who was born May 22, 1868, is a farmer and stockraiser some 12 miles from Clay Court House, and has a family of six children; and Dr. Estin B., who was born May 13, 1873, and is not only a prominent physician of Clay Court House, but is also the mayor of the town and one of its leading men. Mr. Stephenson has retired from active politics but is still regarded as one of the most influential men of his county. He enjoys the confidence and high esteem of the public and is an honored resident of his own community. When he first located in Clay Court House, the present prosperous town consisted of one dwelling and a small fort which was used to shelter the Home Guards. With interest he has watched the growth and development of that section and has been no small factor in the same. His investments have been made there and his interests have centered there, and, now, surrounded with an honorable and prosperous family, he is enjoying a vigorous old age. Mr. Stephenson is interested in a number of enterprises and is one of the directors of the Clay County Bank. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 180, I. O. O. F., in Clay Court House. In religious belief he is a Methodist. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Tombstone in Reed-Stevenson Cemetery, Clay, Clay County, WV A. J. Stephenson 1829--1903 Mary J., his wife 1832--1923 ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Clay County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/clay/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------