James B and Elizabeth Stephens, Portland, OR
N 45° 31.139 W 122° 38.646
10T E 527795 N 5040667
There are two death masks on this gravestone marker.
Waymark Code: WMGKXE
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 03/17/2013
Views: 18
About the Stephens:
James B. Stephens was a pioneer in the Oregon Territory. He operated one of the first ferries across the Willamette River. His father was the first person buried in Lone Fir Cemetery. He was a cooper by trade (barrel maker) and made barrels for the Hudson Bay Company amoung others. Stephens followed the Gold Rush to California but returned to Portland in 1850, purchasing land in Southeast Portland from John McLoughlin. He divided his land into plots and sold them to other settlers on thier own terms, assisting in the development of the east side of the river. He started the Stark Street Ferry in 1853, and in 1855 was involved in the organization of the Pacific Telegraph Company. He opened the East Portland Savings & Loan Bank in 1861, and in 1862 donated land for the Oregon Hospital for the Insane in East Portland. He operated another ferry for 17 years, across the Willamette River near Oregon City. He and Elizabeth had 7 children and outlived all but one of them.
James died March 22, 1889 at age 82. The National Register of Historic Places lists his home as one of the oldest homes in Portland. Stephens Street in Portland and also the liberty ship SS James B. Stephens are named after him.
Name of Cemetery: Lone Fir Cemetery
Condition of Death Mask: Excellent
Gravestone Inscription:
The marker reads:
James B Stephens
born in Virginia
Nov 9, 1806
Died Mar 22, 1889
Elizabeth
wife of
James B. Stephens
born near Flemingsburg, KY
Dec 6, 1805
Died April 26, 1887
Here we lie by consent, after 57 years 2 months and 2 days sojourning through life awaiting natures immutable laws to return us back to the elements of the universe of which we were first composed.
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