Thomas Stephenson
Thomas Stephenson was born in Bourbon County, Ky., March 16, 1799, and at fourteen years of age moved to Xenia, Ohio. In 1825 he returned to Kentucky, where he married Miss Elizabeth Shaw and removed to Sidney, Ohio. He bought two hundred acres of land and began improving it. His nearest grocery market was Piqua, twelve miles distant. A few years later he opened a store and traded largely with the Indians, who were his best and most numerous customers. This store was on a plat near the present site of the Journal office. His goods were transported by wagon from Dayton, a distance of fifty miles. Mr. Stephenson followed merchandising about twenty years. His wife died about 1860, and a year or so later he married Miss Mary Elliott, who died four months after marriage. He then married Miss Sallie Carey, who is still living. They had two children, both of whom are now dead.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883