INSIDE THE STEPHENSON HOUSE - March 5, 2003

Hi! Henry the Stephenson House Mouse is back again. Hey, hasn't the snow been fun? My cousin Jake and his grandchildren met me at the Public Library yard last time it snowed. Jake lives near the Klingel House and this was a half-way point for us to meet. We all had fun playing in the snow! We even saw Sid going into the library to look up more stuff on Col. Ben. Henry thinks Sid is having fun doing this.

Do you remember not long ago when Henry here talked about Col. Ben's obituary? Well, the other day I really got to thinking about what Hooper Warren of the "Edwardsville Spectator" had written about Col. Ben. You know, it is unbelievable how much thinking I can do while munching away on a big chunk of cheese! Anyway, Ol' Henry wants you folks to read the entire obituary. Hooper Warren wrote the obituary expressing considerable sympathy for not only the family but also for all those who knew Col. Ben.

"Edwardsville Spectator," October 12, 1822

DIED-In this town, on Thursday last, Col. BENJAMIN STEPHENSON, Receiver of Public Moneys for the Edwardsville Land District, in the 54th year of his age.

However unavailing the tear of regret, which is shed for a deceased friend-notwithstanding the efforts of philosophy, or the just, but ineffectual dictates of sober reason-it will flow. Vain to the bereaved widow and father-less child are all the admonitions of careful friends-who fear and mourn rather for the living than the dead.
But when one who has filled the various stations of life with such pre-eminent faithfulness, as the subject of this notice, is called hence, the grief extends far beyond the precincts of the weeping relatives. All seem anxious to mingle their sorrows with the known pangs of the bereaved widow and children. Such emotions cause the present feeble attempt to sketch some of the events which have marked the life of Col. Benjamin Stephenson. He was born on the 8th of July, 1769, in the then colony of Pennsylvania-whence he commenced his public life, and acquired the lasting esteem and approbation of all who knew him. In 1809, he removed with his family to Illinois, since which time he has filled various public offices, with such
distinguished credit-so much to the satisfaction of all with, or for, whom he acted, that his eulogy is written in the hearts of more persons, perhaps, than will read this article.
During the late war he commanded a battalion under the then Governor Edwards, and a regiment under Brigadier General Howard, and in one or the other of which stations he was actively employed during nearly the whole period of danger to our exposed frontiers, and on all occasions distinguished himself so
much by his vigilance, energy and intrepidity, as to secure the approbation of those under whom he acted, as well as the respect and esteem of those whom he commanded.
After the termination of his military duties, he was elected by the people of the territory to represent them in Congress. Without having become famous as a public speaker, he is acknowledged to have effected, by his prudent watchfulness, and through the esteem entertained for him, by his fellow
members, as much at least as any other delegate could have done. From the high and honorable station Col. S. retired in 1816, having received the appointment of Receiver of Public Moneys in this land district. In this
station he continued to retain the confidence, friendship, and esteem, it is believed, of all who knew him. As a member of the convention which formed the constitution of this state, his conduct was especially satisfactory tohis constituents.
Although the writer of these lines has known and honored the deceased as a public officer, he has to state that it was in the friendly and domestic circles that the virtues of his heart shone with peculiar lustre. If the patriot mourn his death as a public loss-if friends shed the tear of sorrow over his grave-what, oh! what are the agonies of a beloved and affectionate wife-now wife, alas! No more, and of children, cherished by the kindliest sympathies of paternal love? He alone who is the widow's God, and Father to the fatherless, can heal the wound which His hand, in his own wise providence, has made. To Him may they look in humble confidence, and in Him may they find present and eternal consolation.