SEPTIMUS TAYLOR STEVENS

HARTFORD REPUBLICAN

FEBRUARY 19, 1892

SEPTIMUS TAYLOR STEVENS

            The subject of this sketch was born near Cromwell, this county, Jan. 31, 1855.  His father, Blackstone Stevens, was a highly respected citizen, in moderate circumstances, who died when our hero was quite young.  His mother, Hannah Taylor Stevens, came of a good family, and when her husband died she had to struggle hard assisted by her two noble boys, of whom the oldest was Septimus, and of course on him fell the greater responsibility.  But his mother never looked to him in vain; he was always ready, always honest, always industrious.  The spring, summer and autumn brought the planting, tending and gathering of the crop, and winter his attendance on the country school.  He very early manifested more than ordinary ability as a student and soon developed a strong love for books, thus the years of youth were passed.

            When he arrived at the age of young manhood he found himself endowed with strong mind and muscle.  He determined to educate himself, and by his own hard labor, after helping to provide for his mother, he accumulated means sufficient to enable him to attend the Rockfield School, Warren county, in 1875, and the Auburn High School, Warren county, in 1876-77.  Here he again distinguished himself as a student.  He paid much attention to the development of his splendid physique by taking part in gymnastics, in which he became quite proficient.  After having thoroughly prepared himself, Mr. Stevens began teaching in the established common schools where he soon gained an enviable reputation as an able and efficient teacher.

            Mr. Stevens sought and won the hand of Miss Laura Taylor, daughter of H. B. Taylor, Sr. of Beaver Dam.  Miss Taylor was a beautiful and accomplished young lady, and the happy union took place February 27, 1879.  To them have been born five children:  Claude A., aged 12 years, Chester D., aged 10,  E. Cecil, aged 8, Winona C, aged one year and eight months, and a child that died in infancy.  Mr. Stevens continued teaching in the fall and winter until 1887, since which time he has devoted his whole attention to farming, in which, as in teaching, he has been very successful.  He has a good farm in a high state of cultivation, plenty of stock and farming implements and is, in short, one of the nicest farmers in the Southern part of the county. 

           

            Mr. Stevens is a Republican and a Baptist.  In August, 1890, he was elected Justice of the Peace for Cromwell Magisterial District, and as an officer is painstaking, accurate and conscientious.  His sterling qualities of head and heart, his great and unalterable honesty make him an example worthy of the imitation of the earnest, energetic boys of the county.