228 



HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK. 



His sixth child, Olive, born Nov. 10, 1790, in Canisteo, 

 was the first white child born in Steuben County. The 

 other children born here were Joshua, Hila, and Pamela. 

 The mother died Aug. 28, 1825. 



Nathan Stephens, familiarly called Capt. Nathan Ste- 

 phens, was seven years of age when the family came to this 

 valley; was brought up to know and experience all the hard- 

 ship of the pioneer; was married May 14, 1804, to Rachel 

 Gilbert, of Addison (her father, Elisha Gilbert, being one 

 of the first settlers of that town), and for some eight years 

 resided in that town, on what was known as the Gilbert 

 estate, now owned by Col. Henry Baldwin. The remain- 

 der of his life was spent on the old homestead in Canisteo, 

 where he erected commodious buildings and made many 

 other improvements, among which was the " Methodist 



The father died April 3, 1862 ; the mother having died 

 Feb. 7, 1850. 



Joshua C. Stephens, youngest son, born May 30, 1816, 

 received a fair education in the common school, in Howard 

 and Alfred Academies ; was a teacher for several terms. Aug. 

 3, 1845, he married Hannah, daughter of Harris Abbe, of 

 Howard. She was born Sept. 30, 1823, in Enfield, Conn., 

 from which place her parents removed about 1806, and 

 settled in Howard about 1825. Their children are Ira G., 

 James A., Harris M., Nathan J., Mrs. James H., Stewart, 

 of Howard, Emma H., and Mary M. 



He has resided on the old homestead his whole life and 

 carried on farming, and to some extent has carried on lum- 

 bering. He has been closely allied to the best interests of 

 his town, and ever interested in all its local improvements, 



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tavern," which he assisted his father in building. He was 

 a staunch member of the Democratic party, and cast his 

 first vote for President of the United States for Thomas 

 Jefferson. 



He was elected to fill many offices in his town, was towu 

 clerk for several terms, and also school commissioner, and in 

 the interest of education was a strong and able advocate, 

 and did much to forward its progress. Although a farmer, 

 he was very fond of hunting and trapping, and it was esti- 

 mated that for thirty years of his life he averaged to kill 

 one hundred deer annually. 



His children are Elisha G., Jedediah H. M., Ebenezer 

 C, Franklin D., and Joshua C, all living, and all residents 

 of Steuben County except the third son, who is a resident 

 of Allegany County. 



— the education of the young and good society. Educated 

 in the Democratic party, of which his grandfather was an 

 unswerving member, he has been a somewhat active exponent 

 of its principles. Many years ago he was school inspector 

 of the town, subsequently, about 1850, town superintendent 

 of schools, and has been town clerk and supervisor for 

 several terms. In 1842 he became a member of the Morning 

 Star Lodge, No. 65, Canisteo ; his father and grandfather 

 having been among the founders of that lodge. In 1854 he 

 was appointed Eminent Commander of the Edwards Com- 

 mandary, at Hornellsville, now called De Molay Command- 

 ery. No. 22, which position he held for some two years. His 

 connection with Masonry has been continuous since he first 

 became a member, having been called during that time to 

 fill various official positions in the several bodies. 



