WILLIAM STEVENS, Montfort; was born in Cornwall, England, October, 1797; he was brought up to various occupations, including mining, smelting, etc.; was engaged in Belgium at the business of smelting for a time. He was married, in Cornwall, to Jane Mann; emigrated to Wisconsin in 1843; came first to Hazel Green, thence to Benton, in what is now La Fayette Co. In the spring of 1846, he returned to Cornwall and brought over his family, consisting of his wife and ten children; he settled near Benton and engaged in mining; he resided in Benton about ten years; he then removed to Dodgeville, where he lived many years engaged in farming; he settled permanently in Montfort about 1867; he purchased the Wingville Hotel when he resided in Benton, which he owned for many years. Mr. Stevens was engaged in mining, more or less, until 1876, and still owns valuable mining interests. His first wife died in Dodgeville; his present wife was Mrs. Enoch Bernard; her maiden name was Emily De Witt, daughter of Isaac De Witt. Mr. Stevens had thirteen children by his first wife, ten of whom are living, six sons and four daughters; has three children by his present wife, two sons and one daughter. Mrs. Stevens had seven children by her first marriage, five of whom are living. Mr. Stevens, though now in his 84th year, retains much of the vigor of his earlier life; he possesses, naturally, an iron constitution. Has always been a hard-working man, and has had many narrow escapes incident to his long life as a miner. He is possessed of many remarkable anecdotes of his pioneer life. He has crossed the Atlantic five times.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.