William B. Stephenson Explained

William B. Stephenson
Term Start:1870
Term End:1872
Successor:John Carroll Walsh
Term Start2:1865
Term End2:1867
Successor2:John Carroll Walsh
Constituency2:Harford County
State Delegate3:Maryland
District3:Harford County
Term Start3:1852
Term End3:1853
Term Start4:1845
Term End4:1846
Term Start5:1843
Term End5:1843
Birth Date:16 June 1802
Birth Place:Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
Death Place:Rock Run, Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
Resting Place:Rock Run United Methodist Church
Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
Relatives:George Stephenson (brother)

William B. Stephenson (June 16, 1802 – February 13, 1884) was an American politician and judge from Maryland. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate.

Early life

William B. Stephenson was born on June 16, 1802, in Harford County, Maryland, to Priscilla (or Mary) (née Hopkins) and James Stephenson. His father was a slaveholder, served in the War of 1812, and was a hotelier in Perryville, Maryland.[1] [2] His brother was George Stephenson.[3]

Career

Stephenson was a Whig, but changed to the Democratic Party during President Jackson's second campaign. He started his political career in 1830.[4] In 1830, Stephenson was elected to the Harford County Levy Court.[1] Stephenson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County, in 1843, 1845 to 1846 and 1852 to 1853.[5] He served as a member of the Maryland Senate, representing Harford County from 1865 to 1867 and from 1870 to 1872. He was succeeded by John Carroll Walsh.[1] [6]

Stephenson was a lawyer and owned a farm of 300 acres in Harford County.[1] He also served as a colonel in the militia.[2]

Personal life

Stephenson married and had no children. His wife predeceased him.[4] He bequeathed his farm to his adopted daughter, Elizabeth, who married state delegate William B. Hopkins.[2]

Stephenson died on February 13, 1884, at his home near Rock Run in Harford County, Maryland. He was buried at Rock Run United Methodist Church.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Death of Col. Wm. B. Stephenson . 1884-02-15 . . 2 . . 2022-11-29.
  2. Book: Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland . 1897 . 374–375, 401–402 . . 2023-10-18.
  3. News: Mr. Geo. Stephenson . 1878-11-02 . The Union . 2 . . 2023-03-19.
  4. News: Death of Col. Stephenson, of Harford . 1884-02-15 . . 1 . . 2022-11-29.
  5. Web site: Historical List, House of Delegates, Harford County (1790-1974) . Maryland Manual On-Line . . 1999-04-30 . 2022-11-29.
  6. Web site: Historical List, Senate, Harford County (1838-1966) . Maryland Manual On-Line . . 1999-09-30 . 2022-11-29.