STEPHENS-Richard A. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Richard A. STEPHENS, farmer, Newtown was born in Montgomery County Ohio in 1832. His father, William Stepehns was born near Lexington, Kentucky Oct 2, 1799 and his mother, Sarah Hardacre May 22, 1811. They were married Oct 23, 1828 and about 1833 settled north of Newtown where Mrs. Stephens is now living in his 82nd year. Mrs. Stephens died May 18, 1835 and the family went back to Ohio and remained till 1845. The children by this marriage were: Nancy, Phebe, Richard A and Benjamin (deceased). In 1844 Mr. Stephens married Jane WHITE and the next year moved back to his former home in Indiana. By this marriage were born 4 children: Mary Elizabeth (deceased); William Owen, James Newton and David Legrand (deceased). Mrs. Stephens died Oct 9, 1850 and on April 6, 1857, Mr. Stephens was married to Catharine White. The issue of this marriage was one daughter: Elizabeth Ann.These three wives were natives of Montgomery County, Ohio. This aged couple have been members of the Missionary Baptist Church 16 years and all Mr. Stephens' children except Nancy and Richard belong to the same denomination. Nancy is a 7th Day Baptist. Richard was married Feb 15, 1852 to Mary B, daughter of William H. Smith, an early settler of Richland Township. They have two children: William Lafayette, born Jan 24, 1853 and John Winfield May 21, 1855. Mr. Stephens owns 120 acres of land less than 4 miles northeast of Newtown. He superintends the farm, while his sons do the principal part of the work. He has kept a thresher of his own running the past dozen years and for 3 years has been an agent for the sale of agricultural implements and machinery. He is a democrat.