J. M. L. STEPHENS is a son of John and Martha A. (Gulley) Stephens, who were born in North Carolina in 1776 and 1796, and died in 1831 and 1879, respectively. The father was an early pioneer farmer of Tennessee, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, and received land grants for his services.
Our subject was born February 28, 1831, in Bedford County, and worked on a farm to support his mother until he attained his majority, when he began farming for himself, and in the winter season taught school for several years. He entered the Confederate service in 1862, in Company F, Forty-first Tennessee Infantry, and was in the battles of Chickamauga, Raymond, Jackson and others, but was not wounded or captured during service.
After his return home he resumed farming, and in 1866 was elected constable and served two years. November 22, 1858, he wedded Margaret F. Robinson, of Bedford County, and their union has resulted in the birth of six children: Ransom, Kate, Joseph, John, Lizzie and Hiram. Mr. Stephens is a man well versed in the affairs of the times, and he and family are church members. His eldest son is preparing for the ministry. Mr. Stephens is a Mason, and a Democrat in his political views.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.