John Hubbard Stephens, Jr.

John Hubbard Stephens, Jr. was the son of John Hubbard and Mary Meade (Davis) Stephens. He married Katherine Clay Howerton 4 September 1861 in Osage Co., Missouri, with John McDaniel, Justice of the Peace officating. She was born 28 December 1846 in Virginia, the daughter of Robert Howerton and Judith (White) Foxwell. To their union were born seven children, six daughters and one son. ~
John Hubbard Stephens, Jr., was enumerated in Osage County with his parents and siblings in 1850 and 1860. In 1870, he and his family live next door to Will Stephens household which included their mother. John became a minister of the Christian Church at Deer Creek in Osage County in about 1872. In 1880, they still resided in Osage County. Tradition says that John moved his family to Springfield, Missouri in 1887, where he preached until his retirement. However he was enumerated in 1900 in Greene Co., Missouri. After his death in 1909, his widow lived with her son-in-law and daughter Edward and Ella (Stephens) Stracke on College Street in Springfield, grandparents of Richard Lee Stracke. ~
Funeral Notice: CHRISTIAN WORKER, November or December 1910 "John H. Stephens, Jr., Died

On the 18th of November 1910 our brother, J.H. Stephens of Springfield, Mo., died as a result of an operation performed at the hospital there. Mr. Stephens was born in Marshall Co., Tennessee June 30, 1838, and was 71 years, 4 months and 18 days old. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1843 and settled in Osage county on Baileys creek. He obeyed the gospel under the ministery of Charles Drennen. At about the age of 21 he was married to Miss Catherine C. Howerton, Sept. 5, 1861. To their union were born seven children, six daughters and one son, all living and members of the church of Christ. Mrs. Mollie J. Hutchison, of Brown Springs, Mo.; Mrs. Thirza A. Dey, of Newton, Kansas; Mrs. _____ Lett, Mrs. Ella Stracke, and Mr. R.F. Stephens, of Springfield, Mo.; Mrs. Josephine Findlay, of Dixon, Mo.; and Mrs. P.L. Hutchison of Chamois, Mo., are the children. He with his family moved to Springfield, Mo., in 1887. He was set apart for the ministry 38 years ago , by the church of Christ, worshipping at Deer creek, in Osage County, and had continued to preach the gospel as opportunity afforded until a short time before his death. He lived a consistent life always ready to help others, being a true christian, devoted husband and kind father. He was loved and respected by all good christian people who knew him, many were turned from darkness to light through his teaching. Besides a wife and seven children he leaves 37 grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren, a brother W. R. Stephens of Delly, Oregon, a half brother Tom Stephens of Mountain Grove, Mo., and a host of relatives and friends. Thank God they weep not as thos who have no hope for he was prepared to go and their loss is his gain. Relying on the precious promise of God's word we cherish the fond hope of meeting him in the sweet beyond where there is no more death neither sickness nor sorrow.

On the 21st of Nov. Lord's day evening he was laid to rest in Hazelwood cemetery, Springfield, Mo. W.F. Parmiter of Wichita, Kansas spoke words of ----"