Obituary
Pittsburg Headlight
June 19, 1936
JJ STEPHENSON DEAN OF THE COLEMEN IS DEAD
Pittsburger, 77, Passes at Country Home Near Here Last Night
Had Prominent Part In Developing Mine Industry Since He Began Strip Operations IN 1889; Ill Past Two Years.
John Joseph Stephenson, 77, Dean of the Coal Operators, who came from England to make his fortune in the fields of the Pittsburg District, died at 8:50 O'Clock last night at the home five miles east of Pittsburg.
Death was attributed to cerebral hemorrhage by doctor Maren Banks attending physician. Mr. Stephenson had been declining health for the past two years, but for the past month he had been in critical conditions because of repeated hemorrhages.
Since 1889 Mr. Stephenson had played a prominent part in the development of the Pittsburg Coal Industry. He had sponsored a number of other industries as well.
Mr. Stephenson was a native of England and came to the United States in 1873 with his parents, disembarking at Galveston, Tx. He was born Jan. 30, 1859 in Alston, Cumberland, England.
FIRST INTO TEXAS
Upon landing in this country Mr. Stephenson's father went into ranching in Texas. The son remained with him until 1881. Then he went into the contracting business. His first job was a pile hauling contract for the International Great Northern Railroad from San Antonio to Loredo, Tx. This was followed by other contracts; the majority of which were for railroads, and which gradually brought him north into Kansas and Missouri.
In 1889 Mr. entered the Strip Coal Industry in Kansas. And because of his long association with the business known as the Dean of the operators in this district. The mining industry was in the early stages when he cast his lot with it.
His first operations were with horse and mule teams. Two decades later Stephensons and other pioneers of the Industry installed mechanical shovels to reach the top stratus.
DEVELOPED SEVERAL COMPANIES
A number of coal companies which are prominent in this field were developed by Stephenson. Among them were the JJ Stephenson Coal and Mining Company, The Pittsburg - Scammon Coal Company, the Litchfield Coal Company, The Superior Coal and Mining Company, The Stephenson-Penimore Coal Company and the Weir-Cherokee Coal Company.
Mr. Stephenson had extensive holdings in the Cherokee County fields during the early period of the operations, and also developed the stripping areas near the Kansas-Missouri state line east of here in the Litchfield District.
When CCC Camp activities were started here several years ago, Mr. Stephenson deeded acreage of abandoned strip land along the state line for reclamation work, the campsite being named for him.
However, in 1928 he began to arrange for retirement and since then had spent most of his time at his beautiful country home or at his Pittsburg home, 301 Rose. He gave his time to visiting friends and advising others in the business he knew so well.
LIST OF SURVIVORS
Mr. Stephenson was a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Peters Episcopal Church, the YMCA, and the Elks Lodge. He was married twice; First to Miss Ann Causic "sp" of Ottowa on Aug 12 1887. Three of five children born to this union survive. On Dec. 23, 1913 he married Miss Myrtle Carter, who survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mrs. H.A. Caldwell of Crown Point, NM; Two sons, Harry B. Stephenson of 712 W. Euclid and William H. Stephenson of Tulsa; Five grandchildren; Three great grandchildren; Two sisters; Miss Ella Stephenson of San Atonio and Mrs. GW Hughs.
Pittsburg Headlight
June 19, 1936
JJ STEPHENSON DEAN OF THE COLEMEN IS DEAD
Pittsburger, 77, Passes at Country Home Near Here Last Night
Had Prominent Part In Developing Mine Industry Since He Began Strip Operations IN 1889; Ill Past Two Years.
John Joseph Stephenson, 77, Dean of the Coal Operators, who came from England to make his fortune in the fields of the Pittsburg District, died at 8:50 O'Clock last night at the home five miles east of Pittsburg.
Death was attributed to cerebral hemorrhage by doctor Maren Banks attending physician. Mr. Stephenson had been declining health for the past two years, but for the past month he had been in critical conditions because of repeated hemorrhages.
Since 1889 Mr. Stephenson had played a prominent part in the development of the Pittsburg Coal Industry. He had sponsored a number of other industries as well.
Mr. Stephenson was a native of England and came to the United States in 1873 with his parents, disembarking at Galveston, Tx. He was born Jan. 30, 1859 in Alston, Cumberland, England.
FIRST INTO TEXAS
Upon landing in this country Mr. Stephenson's father went into ranching in Texas. The son remained with him until 1881. Then he went into the contracting business. His first job was a pile hauling contract for the International Great Northern Railroad from San Antonio to Loredo, Tx. This was followed by other contracts; the majority of which were for railroads, and which gradually brought him north into Kansas and Missouri.
In 1889 Mr. entered the Strip Coal Industry in Kansas. And because of his long association with the business known as the Dean of the operators in this district. The mining industry was in the early stages when he cast his lot with it.
His first operations were with horse and mule teams. Two decades later Stephensons and other pioneers of the Industry installed mechanical shovels to reach the top stratus.
DEVELOPED SEVERAL COMPANIES
A number of coal companies which are prominent in this field were developed by Stephenson. Among them were the JJ Stephenson Coal and Mining Company, The Pittsburg - Scammon Coal Company, the Litchfield Coal Company, The Superior Coal and Mining Company, The Stephenson-Penimore Coal Company and the Weir-Cherokee Coal Company.
Mr. Stephenson had extensive holdings in the Cherokee County fields during the early period of the operations, and also developed the stripping areas near the Kansas-Missouri state line east of here in the Litchfield District.
When CCC Camp activities were started here several years ago, Mr. Stephenson deeded acreage of abandoned strip land along the state line for reclamation work, the campsite being named for him.
However, in 1928 he began to arrange for retirement and since then had spent most of his time at his beautiful country home or at his Pittsburg home, 301 Rose. He gave his time to visiting friends and advising others in the business he knew so well.
LIST OF SURVIVORS
Mr. Stephenson was a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Peters Episcopal Church, the YMCA, and the Elks Lodge. He was married twice; First to Miss Ann Causic "sp" of Ottowa on Aug 12 1887. Three of five children born to this union survive. On Dec. 23, 1913 he married Miss Myrtle Carter, who survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mrs. H.A. Caldwell of Crown Point, NM; Two sons, Harry B. Stephenson of 712 W. Euclid and William H. Stephenson of Tulsa; Five grandchildren; Three great grandchildren; Two sisters; Miss Ella Stephenson of San Atonio and Mrs. GW Hughs.
Obituary
Pittsburg Headlight
June 19, 1936
JJ STEPHENSON DEAN OF THE COLEMEN IS DEAD
Pittsburger, 77, Passes at Country Home Near Here Last Night
Had Prominent Part In Developing Mine Industry Since He Began Strip Operations IN 1889; Ill Past Two Years.
John Joseph Stephenson, 77, Dean of the Coal Operators, who came from England to make his fortune in the fields of the Pittsburg District, died at 8:50 O'Clock last night at the home five miles east of Pittsburg.
Death was attributed to cerebral hemorrhage by doctor Maren Banks attending physician. Mr. Stephenson had been declining health for the past two years, but for the past month he had been in critical conditions because of repeated hemorrhages.
Since 1889 Mr. Stephenson had played a prominent part in the development of the Pittsburg Coal Industry. He had sponsored a number of other industries as well.
Mr. Stephenson was a native of England and came to the United States in 1873 with his parents, disembarking at Galveston, Tx. He was born Jan. 30, 1859 in Alston, Cumberland, England.
FIRST INTO TEXAS
Upon landing in this country Mr. Stephenson's father went into ranching in Texas. The son remained with him until 1881. Then he went into the contracting business. His first job was a pile hauling contract for the International Great Northern Railroad from San Antonio to Loredo, Tx. This was followed by other contracts; the majority of which were for railroads, and which gradually brought him north into Kansas and Missouri.
In 1889 Mr. entered the Strip Coal Industry in Kansas. And because of his long association with the business known as the Dean of the operators in this district. The mining industry was in the early stages when he cast his lot with it.
His first operations were with horse and mule teams. Two decades later Stephensons and other pioneers of the Industry installed mechanical shovels to reach the top stratus.
DEVELOPED SEVERAL COMPANIES
A number of coal companies which are prominent in this field were developed by Stephenson. Among them were the JJ Stephenson Coal and Mining Company, The Pittsburg - Scammon Coal Company, the Litchfield Coal Company, The Superior Coal and Mining Company, The Stephenson-Penimore Coal Company and the Weir-Cherokee Coal Company.
Mr. Stephenson had extensive holdings in the Cherokee County fields during the early period of the operations, and also developed the stripping areas near the Kansas-Missouri state line east of here in the Litchfield District.
When CCC Camp activities were started here several years ago, Mr. Stephenson deeded acreage of abandoned strip land along the state line for reclamation work, the campsite being named for him.
However, in 1928 he began to arrange for retirement and since then had spent most of his time at his beautiful country home or at his Pittsburg home, 301 Rose. He gave his time to visiting friends and advising others in the business he knew so well.
LIST OF SURVIVORS
Mr. Stephenson was a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Peters Episcopal Church, the YMCA, and the Elks Lodge. He was married twice; First to Miss Ann Causic "sp" of Ottowa on Aug 12 1887. Three of five children born to this union survive. On Dec. 23, 1913 he married Miss Myrtle Carter, who survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mrs. H.A. Caldwell of Crown Point, NM; Two sons, Harry B. Stephenson of 712 W. Euclid and William H. Stephenson of Tulsa; Five grandchildren; Three great grandchildren; Two sisters; Miss Ella Stephenson of San Atonio and Mrs. GW Hughs.
Pittsburg Headlight
June 19, 1936
JJ STEPHENSON DEAN OF THE COLEMEN IS DEAD
Pittsburger, 77, Passes at Country Home Near Here Last Night
Had Prominent Part In Developing Mine Industry Since He Began Strip Operations IN 1889; Ill Past Two Years.
John Joseph Stephenson, 77, Dean of the Coal Operators, who came from England to make his fortune in the fields of the Pittsburg District, died at 8:50 O'Clock last night at the home five miles east of Pittsburg.
Death was attributed to cerebral hemorrhage by doctor Maren Banks attending physician. Mr. Stephenson had been declining health for the past two years, but for the past month he had been in critical conditions because of repeated hemorrhages.
Since 1889 Mr. Stephenson had played a prominent part in the development of the Pittsburg Coal Industry. He had sponsored a number of other industries as well.
Mr. Stephenson was a native of England and came to the United States in 1873 with his parents, disembarking at Galveston, Tx. He was born Jan. 30, 1859 in Alston, Cumberland, England.
FIRST INTO TEXAS
Upon landing in this country Mr. Stephenson's father went into ranching in Texas. The son remained with him until 1881. Then he went into the contracting business. His first job was a pile hauling contract for the International Great Northern Railroad from San Antonio to Loredo, Tx. This was followed by other contracts; the majority of which were for railroads, and which gradually brought him north into Kansas and Missouri.
In 1889 Mr. entered the Strip Coal Industry in Kansas. And because of his long association with the business known as the Dean of the operators in this district. The mining industry was in the early stages when he cast his lot with it.
His first operations were with horse and mule teams. Two decades later Stephensons and other pioneers of the Industry installed mechanical shovels to reach the top stratus.
DEVELOPED SEVERAL COMPANIES
A number of coal companies which are prominent in this field were developed by Stephenson. Among them were the JJ Stephenson Coal and Mining Company, The Pittsburg - Scammon Coal Company, the Litchfield Coal Company, The Superior Coal and Mining Company, The Stephenson-Penimore Coal Company and the Weir-Cherokee Coal Company.
Mr. Stephenson had extensive holdings in the Cherokee County fields during the early period of the operations, and also developed the stripping areas near the Kansas-Missouri state line east of here in the Litchfield District.
When CCC Camp activities were started here several years ago, Mr. Stephenson deeded acreage of abandoned strip land along the state line for reclamation work, the campsite being named for him.
However, in 1928 he began to arrange for retirement and since then had spent most of his time at his beautiful country home or at his Pittsburg home, 301 Rose. He gave his time to visiting friends and advising others in the business he knew so well.
LIST OF SURVIVORS
Mr. Stephenson was a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Peters Episcopal Church, the YMCA, and the Elks Lodge. He was married twice; First to Miss Ann Causic "sp" of Ottowa on Aug 12 1887. Three of five children born to this union survive. On Dec. 23, 1913 he married Miss Myrtle Carter, who survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Mrs. H.A. Caldwell of Crown Point, NM; Two sons, Harry B. Stephenson of 712 W. Euclid and William H. Stephenson of Tulsa; Five grandchildren; Three great grandchildren; Two sisters; Miss Ella Stephenson of San Atonio and Mrs. GW Hughs.
