Stever - Davis
Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain
Counties, Indiana (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 273
Prominent among the successful farmers and stock
raisers of Parke County may be mentioned the name of Mr. STEVER, who owns and
operates a fine farm located on Section 28, Liberty Township. The estate
comprises 170 acres of well cultivated land and is embellished with a
substantial set of farm buildings, chief among which is the commodious
residence. The improvements usually found upon first class farms may here be
seen and on every hand abound proofs of the thrift of the owner of the
property. A native of the township where he now lives, Mr. Stever was born Feb
2, 1833 and is the son of Matthew and Agnes BANKS Stever. His father came to
Indiana before it was admitted into the Union and was one of the first settlers
of Parke County where he remained until his death at Rockport Mill, about 1840.
A Democrat in politics, he was public spirited and enterprising as a citizen
and his untimely death was mourned by all. His wife survived until April, 1866..
They were the parents of 7 children: Samuel and Washington, both now deceased;
Joseph, who enlisted in the 85th Indiana Infantry and died soon afterward;
Davis of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah GILKINSON; Mrs. Margaret GILKINSON; Mrs. Mary
NOE; and Matthew, who enlisted in the 9th Indiana Battery during the late war
and died at Vicksburg in July 1863. After the death of Matthew STOVER (sic) his
widow married Russell GRIFFIN, and remained in Parke County until her death.
Originally she had resided in North Carolina, whence she removed to Virginia
and from there to Indiana, becoming a pioneer of this state. Early orphaned by
the death of his father, our subject was afterward bound out and on receiving
his freedom at the age of 21 he was also given $60. This he took to the bank,
receiving in return but $20 in specie. For five years thereafter he worked for
others, receiving as remuneration $15 per month. After his marriage, which Occurred
Oct 19, 1858 and united with Miss Susan CONNER, he commenced to farm for
himself. in Feb 1862, Mr. Stever enlisted in the 9th Indiana Battery and after
the battle of Shiloh was granted a short furlough. He rejoined his regiment at
Grand Junction, Tenn and was present at the engagements of LaGrange, Miss;
Jackson, Queen's Hill, the siege of Vicksubrg, the Red river expedition and
others of minor importance, though not less hazardous to life. At the close of
the expedition he went to Memphis and volunteered in the 3rd Indiana Artillery
after which he took part in the battle of Tupelo, Miss and was in the two days
fight at Nashville. Altogether he participated in 32 engagements. From
Florence, Alabama, he was ordered home, and while sailing down the Tennessee
River on the "Eclipse," in company with 64 men an explosion occurred
in which 27 were killed. The injuries there received obliged our subject to
remain for two months or more in the Marine Hospital at Evansville, Indiana
from which he was discharge in March 1865. His papers, however, were dated Feb
25, at Indianapolis. on his return home, Mr. Stever resumed the occupation of a
farmer and in September 1866, purchased his first farm, which consisted of 62
acres on Section 28, Liberty Township. He has added to his original purchase
until he is at present the owner of 172 acres. In all his enterprises he has
received the efficient assistance of his capable wife. She was born in Sugar
Creek Township, Parke County and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth DEER
Conner, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Conner was a carpenter by trade. in December,
1861, he enlisted in the defense of the Union and participated in all the
engagements of his regiment until his death at Union City, Tenn. in November
1863. His mortal remains were brought to Parke County and there interred. He
was a valiant soldier and had risen to the rank of Lt. in which capacity he was
serving at the time of his demise. His wife had passed away in the spring of
1863, leaving six children: Susan, Hettie, Nancy, Allen, Mary and Louisa. Caleb
Conner, the grandfather of Mrs. Stever was born in Kentucky and throughout much
of his life was employed as a millwright and blacksmith. He was a pioneer of
Montgomery County, Indiana where he entered some Government land and improved a
good farm. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Order. His religious views
were in sympathy with the doctrines of the Baptist Church of which he was a member.
Politically, he was first a Whig and later Republican, and served his fellow
citizen sin the office of Justice of the Peace, as well as in other places of
trust. He married Miss Susannah TEETER, who was of Scotch-Irish descent and
they became the parents of 7 sons and 3 daughters. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Stever there have been born 7 children, as follows: Samuel; Elizabeth, formerly
the wife of Luna BAYLESS; and now deceased; Sarah A, Mrs. William SHERRILL,
deceased; Davis, E, who died when 21; Joseph; Susan B, wife of Otho COATS and
Caleb R. The children received excellent educational advantages and those who
survive are prominent in the communities where they reside. Since 1866, Mr.
Stever and his wife have been actively connected with the United Brethren
Church and are foremost in all the benevolent and worthy projects originated by
that denomination