Untitled From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 672

AMO STEPHENS, a successful stock farmer of the town of Platteville, Grant county, is now in the prime of life, and holds an enviable position in the agricultural circles of this part of the State.

Mr. STEPHENS was born in Platteville in January, 1857, and is a son of William C. and Ann (MITCHELL) STEPHENS, who were born in Cornwall, England, he in 1820, and she in 1822, and were married in their native land. Coming to Platteville, they made this their permanent home, Mr. STEPHENS dying Feb. 27, 1897. Mrs. STEPHENS died in 1885. Her parents died in England. Mr. STEPHENS was a great traveler, and conversant with the Western part of the United States, having been one of the gold seekers in California. He was also a boatman on the Mississippi, working with Capt. LANGTON for a number of years. Mr. STEPHENS made many improvements after settling on the family home, and put up the stone house which his son Amo now occupies. For the last twenty-eight years of his life he was not engaged in active labor. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom Thomas and Harlan died when young. Mary M. is now Mrs. SMITH, of Platteville. Allie A., born in 1850, married Miss Martha JENKINS, and lives in Platteville, where he is engaged in the dray business; to them were born two children, Percival and Edna. George H., born in 1860, was educated in Platteville. He married Miss Carrie WRAPE, of Iowa, and they live in Fairfield, that State; they have one daughter, Hilda, living, and have lost one son.

Amo C. STEPHENS was educated in the Platteville schools, and grew to manhood on the old home farm. In 1875 he married Miss Margaret NICHOLAS, of Millfin, Iowa county, daughter of William and Sarah Nicholas, natives of England, who came to Grant county in 1848. Returning to England, they lived there sixteen years. Coming a second time to Wisconsin, they settled in Iowa county, where Mr. NICHOLAS lived until a short time previous to his death, when he came to live with Mrs. STEPHENS, in Platteville, dying in 1891. The widow is still living with this daughter. Mrs. STPEHENS was born May 20, 1856, and her education, begun in England, was completed in the public schools of Wisconsin.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. STEPHENS moved to the old home of his father, which in after years came into his possession. Here he has erected new barns and made many improvements. Three children have been born to them: (1) Walter E., born in 1876, grew up at home. He learned the printing trade with Mr. RINDLAUB, and is publishing a paper in Oshkosh, Wis. (2) Leslie M., born in 1880, is living at home. (3) Ada L., born in 1883, obtained her education in the Platteville high school, where she was counted one of the brightest students. She died in 1900, and will be sorely missed from the home from which she has been so early taken away.

Mr. STEPHENS is a Republican, and has been a member of the town board for some years. In the field of local politics he is a prominent figure. He and his wife are members of the Primitive Methodist Church.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck