From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 576-577

Joshua Stephens, one of the successful business men of Fremont, Ind., was born in Susquehannah Township, Dauphin Co., Pa., in an old house used as a barracks at the time of the Indian troubles, Oct. 6, 1824, a son of Andrew and Mary (Braden) Stephens, his father of English and his mother of Irish descent. He is the third of eight children, and the eldest of the five living. His only sister, Ann, is the widow of Henry E. Oakes. His brothers, John B., Benjamin F. and Andrew, live in Elkhart, Ind. The father died in 1832. In 1852 the mother came to Indiana with her children and died in Elkhart, but her remains were taken to Dauphin County and buried by the side of her husband. Joshua Stephens was thrown on his own resources when fifteen years of age. When nineteen years of age he began to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade with James Harper, for whom he worked five years, afterward worked two years with Isaac Uptegraph and one year with others. In 1851 he came to Steuben County, Ind., and was twenty-eight days on the road, having to ford streams, there being but few bridges or public roads. He located in Fremont Township, and worked at his trade two years. In 1853 he went to Elkhart and remained eight years. In 1861 he moved to Coldwater, Mich., and in 1863 came again to Fremont and worked at his trade two years. He then engaged in farming eleven years, and in 1876 came to Fremont and embarked in the hardware business, which he sold to his brother-in-law, Philip Michael. In 1878 he embarked in the market business in which he has since been engaged. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1837, and still remain members. Mr. Stephens was married Jan. 31, 1850, to Sarah E. Michael, a native of Dauphin County, Pa., born in August, 1833, a daughter of Philip Michael. They have had six children; five are living -- Andrew, Ai, Benjamin F., Edmund A. and Charles W. Their only daughter died at the age of four years.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com