(O/L^ikJrUu /y . 



The subject of this sketch is of English origin. It is 

 related that three brothers — Thomas, Eichard, and Henry 

 Stephens — came to America from Ireland some time during 

 King Philip's war, served during said war as colonels, and 

 afterwards settled: Thomas, in Massachusetts; Richard, in 

 Charleston, S. C. ; and Henry, in Hartford, Conn. Elisha 

 G. Stephens, eldest son of Nathan Stephens and Rachel 

 Gilbert, of Canisteo, and grandson of Jedediah and Abi- 

 gail Stephens, natives of Connecticut, was born in Addison, 

 Steuben Co., N. Y., March 21, 1805. He is a lineal de- 

 scendant of the fifth generation from Henry Stephens. He 

 received a common-school education, and taught school four 

 winters. He remained at home until he was twenty-one 

 years of age; then worked at the carpenter and joiner 

 trade until he was thirty years of age. 



He married Sarah Bennett, daughter of William and 

 Mary Bennett, of Canisteo, May 21, 1829. She was born 

 at Hornellsville, April 30, 1807. Her father was a son of 

 Captain Solomon Bennett, one of the twelve who was a 

 purchaser of the original towns of Canisteo and Hornells- 

 ville of Phelps and Gorham. 



Of this union five children have been born, — one who 

 died in infancy. William B., who married Samantha Van 

 Scoter, and has two living children, Floyd L. and Ira B. ; 

 he is at home with his father, and is at present a merchant 

 at Stephens' Mills ; Emeline, deceased ; Benton W., who is 

 at home with his father on the farm ; and Le Roy, deceased. 

 The first three were born in Canisteo, and the other two in 



Fremont. Elisha G. continued to follow his trade until Jan- 

 uary, 1834, when he settled in the present town of Fre- 

 mont, but at that time known as Hornellsville. During his 

 residence in this place he has ever been the leading man, 

 and to him more than to any other one is honor due for 

 the growth and prosperity of the little hamlet which now 

 bears his name. 



He purchased the mills known as Upson Mills, and has 

 continued to own them ever since. He has also more than 

 one hundred and fifty acres of land, besides the public- 

 house of the place, which was his home at the time of the 

 death of his wife. May 29, 1861. 



Mr. Stephens has been a life-long Democrat of the Jef- 

 fersonian school. He has held various oflSces of trust and 

 honor in the towns of Canisteo, Hornellsville, and Fremont, 

 having served as supervisor of Hornellsville two terms 

 and magistrate four years, and in Fremont was the first 

 supervisor of the town after its organization for two terms, 

 and magistrate for more than twenty years. He has often 

 represented his town as a delegate to congressional conven- 

 tions. Mr. Stephens belongs to one of the very earliest 

 pioneer families of Steuben County, his father — Nathan — 

 having settled in Canisteo as early as 1790. The names 

 " Stephens" and " Stevens" are one and the same. 



As a man, Mr. Stephens is respected by all. He is now 

 nearly seventy-four years of age, hale and hearty, and retains 

 the vigor of youth, and does more town business than 

 any other man. 



