James Young (bio) STEVENS

Judge

April 30, 1856 - February 22, 1938

James Young Stevens, one of the prominent attorneys of Arkansas and chancellor of the seventh chancery circuit, was born near Haynesville, Louisiana, on the 30th day of April, 1856, a son of James Bailey and Mary Elizabeth (Foster) Stevens. The Stevens family are of English origin, members of the family having come to America at an early date. The father was born in Alabama and was carried by his parents to Mississippi. He lived there until manhood and with his father went to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana in 1851. He followed farming the greater part of his life. His demise occurred at Magnolia, Arkansas in 1909, when seventy-six years of age. In 1861, upon the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in the Confederate army and was in the active service for nearly the entire four years. He was wounded at the siege of Vicksburg. He was a noncommissioned officer in the infantry. Near Gordon, Louisiana, in 1855, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stevens to Miss Mary Elizabeth Foster, and to their union five children were born, one boy and one girl dying in infancy. Of the three remaining children, all sons, James Young is the eldest. Mr. Stevens died in 1902 at Magnolia. In the acquirement of an education, James Young Stevens attended the country schools of Louisiana and the Haynesville Academy at Haynesville in said state, and after putting his textbooks aside he engaged in educational work for some time. From 1880 to 1886 he taught in the public schools of Louisiana and Arkansas, the most of the time being at Center Point, a country schoolhouse in Louisiana, and one year at Chalebyate Springs in Columbia county, Arkansas. About 1884 Mr. Stevens began the study of law at night and in his spare time, and in September, 1886, he came to Magnolia, continuing his studies under the preceptorship of Col. H. P. Smead, one of the leading attorneys of that day. In June, 1887, he went to Camden, Arkansas, and after passing an examination as provided by law he was admitted by the court to practice his chosen profession. He then returned to Magnolia and has since practiced here. He has an extensive general practice, and handles much important litigation before the courts. In 1908 Mr. Stevens was called to his first public office, being elected prosecuting attorney of the thirteenth judicial circuit comprising Columbia, Ouachita, Calhoun and Union counties, and he served for two terms with no opposition, the last term expiring in 1912. In 1920 he was elected chancellor for the seventh chancery circuit for a term of six years and he took over the duties of that office on the 1st of January, 1921. His circuit comprises Lafayette, Columbia, Ouachita, Union, Calhoun and Dallas counties. In addition to his legal and political interests he is a director in the Columbia County Bank of Magnolia and occupies a prominent place in financial circles. On the 15th of November, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stevens to Miss Effie J. Mullins, a native of Columbia county and a daughter of J. W. Mullins. Mr. Mullins was a successful farmer for many years in the county and afterwards moved to Magnolia and became a merchant. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens two children have been born: Ethel May, who married Herbert Jones of Pine Bluff, where she is now residing: and James Curtis, who is a student in Henderson-Brown College, Arkadelphia. He enlisted in the navy on the 1st of February, 1919, and served until receiving his honorable discharge in June or July, 1921. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and Mr. Stevens is now serving as a steward. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World war Mr. Stevens put all personal interest aside and took a prominent and active part in promoting his government's interest. He was a director of most of the Liberty Loan drives and served on the committee of the Three-Minute men and made speeches for the cause he represented. The success that has come to Mr. Stevens in a professional way is evidenced by the clientage accorded him. He has won a creditable position as a representative of the Arkansas bar. He is one of the estimable citizens of Magnolia who can always be depended upon to meet his obligations in both public and private life. (Centennial History of Arkansas - S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1922)

Contributed on 10/2/11 by jeanetteponder
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 595771

Don't Follow