Ennis Stevens
For many years Ennis Stevens has been the manager of the Willis estate of six hundred acres, known as the Maplewood Stock Farm, and in this capacity has demonstrated his right to be classed among the most progressive farmers of the county. His whole life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and, being a man of good business ability and boundless energy, he has made a pronounced success of the work to which he has devoted his life thus far.
Ennis Stevens, the son of John and Louisa (Landes) Stevens, was born June 9, 1870, in Highland county, Ohio. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and moved when a small boy with his parents to Highland county, Ohio. In that county John Stevens grew to manhood, married and reared a large family of children, Temperance, Scott, Levi, Steward, Caroline (deceased), Mock, Mary, Alfred, Jennie, Minta (deceased), and Ennis, with whom this narrative deals. The father of these eleven children died several years ago and the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight.
The education of Ennis Stevens was received in the schools of Highland county. Before he reached his majority he started to work out by the month and. being a man who made a study of farming, gradually became thoroughly acquainted with every detail of agriculture. After his marriage he began farnhng in Fayette county and assumed charge of the Maplewood Stock Farm, where he has since remained. He is one of the most extensive stock raisers of the county and markets several car loads each year.
Mr. Stevens was married December 26, 1892, to Flora Roush, the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Lemons) Roush. The mother of Mrs. Stevens died when Mrs. Stevens was only six days old and she was then taken and reared by her grandmother, Mrs. Lucinda (Shaffer) Roush. Joshua Roush is still living in Highland county. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents of four children, Ethel (deceased), Leland, Gerald and Orin.
Fraternally, Mr. Stevens belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, but has been so engrossed with his heavy agricultural interests that he has not had the time to take an active part in political affairs. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they are interested and to whose' support they are liberal contributors.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)