Legislator Details


Samuel Merritt Stephenson
AKA:
Number of sessions served 3
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 45

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 12/23/1831
City: Hartlan, New Brunswick
County: Carleton County, New Brunswick
Country: Canada
 
Death
Date: 7/31/1907
City: Menominee, MI
County: Menominee County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date: 8/4/1907
City: Menominee, MI
County: Menominee County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Riverside Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Jane Harris about 1859; children: Samuel E., Edward, Emma (Jennings), Lizzie, Clara M. (Weidemann), Hatrriet or Hattie Lou (Wells), Nellie (MCCormick), and 2 others

Number of Children: 9

Background

Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: lumberman, businessman, farmer, merchant
Race:

Education:
common school

Biographical Sketch:
Son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Watson) Stephenson. Moved with his parents to Maine, & later, in 1846, to Delta Co., MI, & engaged in lumbering; moved to Menominee, MI, 1858 where he built the 2nd steam sawmill on the river; interested in real estate, lumbering, general merchandising, & agricultural pursuits. He served as chairman of the board of supervisors for many years; vice president and secretary of the 'Kirby Carpenter Company' of Menominee and Chicago; vice president of the Stephenson Banking Company in Marriette, WI. He had a general merchindise business. He owned several large farms. he was managing owner of thefeight line between Chicago and Menominee and director of a boom manufacturing company.

Notable Facts:
Elected to the 51st-54th Congresses 1889-1897. Served in both state chambers. Death certificate gives birth date as 12/25/1831. His brother, Isaac, was in the Wisconsin legislature.

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Third Legislature, 1885-1886
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Railroads , Mines, Minerals and Mining Interests, Mines, Minerals and Mining Interests, State Library , State Capitol and Public Buildings, Geological Survey of the State
Postions Held:

City of Residence:
County of Residence Menominee
District: 31
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/4/1884
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1885
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Thirtieth Legislature, 1879-1880
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Railroads , Public Lands, Counties and Townships , Lumber Interests
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Menominee
County of Residence Menominee
District: 31
District Description: Counties of Mackinac, Chippewa, Schoolcraft, Delta, Menominee, Marquette and Baraga

Date Elected: 11/5/1878
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1879
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Twenty-Ninth Legislature, 1877-1878
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Lumber and Salt Interests, Public Lands
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Menominee
County of Residence Menominee
District: Menominee
District Description: Counties of Delta and Menominee

Date Elected: 11/7/1876
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1877
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: See Notes
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to the state senate for the 30th session.

Bibliography:

CongBio p.1879; SeekMI; PolGryd; USCen 1880, 1900; MIDeaths 1867-1995; Manual 1877 p.126; Manual 1879 p.93, 540
View Bibliographical Sources