Benjamin Stephen
Benjamin Stephen was born in Baden, Germany, December 15, 1816. He was brought up on a farm, and has made farming his principal business. He emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans in April, 1844. From there he went to St. Louis, remained about two months, then came to Ohio, and located in Cincinnati, where he remained about eighteen months, and in 1846 he came to Miami County, where he engaged as a hand on the farm of George Shaffer, at eighty dollars per year. In the autumn of 1847 he came to Shelby County, purchased land in section 29, Loramie Township, at a cost of $500, or $6.25 per acre, and then returned to his home in Miami County. In December, 1848, he married Miss Elizabeth Ganger, of Miami County, but a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born June 23, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen moved on his land in Loramie Township January, 1849, on which they have since resided. They reared a family of seven children, viz., Malinda M., Henry, Daniel, John, Margaret, Mary C., and Louisa E. Malinda M. died March 1, 1882. The remaining six children are all residing in Shelby County.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883