William B. Stephenson

William B. Stephenson
Member of the Maryland Senate
In office 1870–1872
Preceded by	John Carroll Walsh
Succeeded by	John Carroll Walsh
Constituency	Harford County
In office 1865–1867
Preceded by	William F. Bayless
Succeeded by	John Carroll Walsh
Constituency	Harford County
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the Harford County district
In office 1852–1853 Serving with Alfred W. Bateman and Thomas Hope
In office 1845–1846 Serving with Benedict H. Hanson, Henry H. Johns, Abraham J. Streett, Abraham Cole, Robert W. Holland, Luther M. Jarrett
In office 1843–1843 Serving with Thomas Chew Hopkins, William J. Polk, Coleman Yellott
Personal details
Born	(1802-06-16)June 16, 1802 Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
Died	February 13, 1884(1884-02-13) (aged 81) Rock Run, Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
Resting place	Rock Run United Methodist Church Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Whig Democratic
Relatives	George Stephenson (brother)
Occupation	Politician judge lawyer farmer

William B. Stephenson (June 16, 1802 – February 13, 1884) was an American politician and judge from Maryland. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate.

Early life

William B. Stephenson was born on June 16, 1802, in Harford County, Maryland, to Priscilla (or Mary) (née Hopkins) and James Stephenson. His father was a slaveholder, served in the War of 1812, and was a hotelier in Perryville, Maryland.[1][2] His brother was George Stephenson.[3]

Career

Stephenson was a Whig, but changed to the Democratic Party during President Jackson's second campaign. He started his political career in 1830.[4] In 1830, Stephenson was elected to the Harford County Levy Court.[1] Stephenson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County, in 1843, 1845 to 1846 and 1852 to 1853.[5] He served as a member of the Maryland Senate, representing Harford County from 1865 to 1867 and from 1870 to 1872. He was succeeded by John Carroll Walsh.[1][6]

Stephenson was a lawyer and owned a farm of 300 acres in Harford County.[1] He also served as a colonel in the militia.[2]

Personal life

Stephenson married and had no children. His wife predeceased him.[4] He bequeathed his farm to his adopted daughter, Elizabeth, who married state delegate William B. Hopkins.[2]

Stephenson died on February 13, 1884, at his home near Rock Run in Harford County, Maryland. He was buried at Rock Run United Methodist Church.[4]

References

1. "Death of Col. Wm. B. Stephenson". The Aegis and Intelligencer. February 15, 1884. p. 2. Retrieved November 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
2. Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland. 1897. pp. 374–375, 401–402. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Archive.org.
3. "Mr. Geo. Stephenson". The Union. November 2, 1878. p. 2. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Death of Col. Stephenson, of Harford". The Baltimore Sun. February 15, 1884. p. 1. Retrieved November 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Historical List, House of Delegates, Harford County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. April 30, 1999. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
6. "Historical List, Senate, Harford County (1838-1966)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. September 30, 1999. Retrieved November 29, 2022.