The James Madison Stephens, Jr. letter contains thirteen pages of James Stephens' account of traveling from Bunceton, Missouri to Sacramento, California by rail in 1874 plus biographical information about him provided by his family.

James Madison Stephens, Jr. was born October 19, 1830 in Bunceton, Missouri to Joseph Stephens, Jr. and Eliza Stephens nee Cropper. He married Mary Jane Rogers on December 17th, 1854, and together they had twelve children, nine of which survived childhood. He worked as a postmaster for Coal Bank, Missouri from 1857 until 1874. His uncles George and John Dickson Stephens encouraged him and his family to move to California to join their ranch enterprises in Madison. In 1874, Stephens traveled by railroad to investigate his uncles' proposition, writing a letter home to his family about his travels. Convinced, he moved his family from Bunceton, Missouri to Madison, California that same year. While living in Madison, he was appointed as postmaster to the Madison post office. Only two years into his California residency, Stephens died of typhoid fever on July 16th, 1876.

.03 Linear Feet 2 folders 2 folders

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