San
Joaquin County
Biographies
JAMES M. STEVENSON
Among the well-known and respected
citizens of the Escalon district of San Joaquin County
is James M. Stevenson, a man whose history furnishes a splendid example of what
may be accomplished through well directed effort. He was born at Metamora, Michigan, April 27,
1873, and was only nine years old when he was thrown on his own resources;
however, he got a chance to go to school until he was twelve years old and by
so doing received a fair education. He
learned the riveter’s trade and found work in the shipyards and also worked at
his trade in the coal mines at Bay City, where he remained for eleven years.
On September 30, 1894, Mr. Stevenson
was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Clark, a daughter of Samuel S. and
Eliza (Lockwood) Clark, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of
Michigan. Samuel S. Clark came to
Michigan from his native land in the early ‘60s, where he was married to Miss
Lockwood. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are the
parents of nine children, only three of whom now survive: Floyd L.; Samuel Grant; and John
Mortimer. The two latter are ranchers in
San Joaquin County, while Floyd L. is a member of the firm of Maynard &
Stevenson, paper hangers and painters, Stockton, California. When Mr. Stevenson came to California he
located at Stockton, where he conducted a furniture business for three years. Disposing of it, he farmed in the Kingman
district near Lodi, then located in Escalon in
1914. Mr. Stevenson encountered many
discouraging things in his agricultural activities, but with true western
spirit he let nothing turn him aside from his purpose and
in the end has won a place for himself among the successful ranchers of his
locality. He farmed seventy acres in the
Irwin addition to Escalon besides conducting an alfalfa and dairy ranch. He has devoted much time to the San Joaquin
County Fair Association and much credit is due him for the fine Escalon
exhibits at the county fairs.
Fraternally he is active in lodge circles, retaining his membership in
Ivy Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Bay City, Michigan.
Since he located at Escalon Mr. Stevenson has made many warm personal
friends, has established a reputation as an excellent agriculturist, and is a
valued citizen.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1512. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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