James F. Stevenson was born in Salem township, in 1822, on the farm where he died April 10th, 1908.  He was a charter member of the Salem Free Baptist Church, which was organized fifty years ago.  He was one of the first abolitionists and participated in the underground railroad business before the war.  He was a loyal union man and gave one son to the war in 1861 - John, who was a member of the 145th regiment and was lost at the battle of Gettysburg. Pa.  Mr. Stevenson was a Whig then, a Republican over thirty years, and an enthusiastic Prohibitionist.  He was known and believed to be a sincere Christian.  His pastor, Rev. King, conducted the funeral service, preaching from the text  "I have kept the faith; I have fought the good fight."

His remains were borne to its last resting place in the Stevenson Cemetery by his grandsons, Ray Stevenson, Percy Reznor, Charles and Jesse Vosler, Samuel Anderson, and Earl Chess.  He leaves nine children
to mourn the loss of a kind, Christian father, namely; Mrs. John Chamberlain, Oaks, N. Da., Mrs. John Vosler, Custards, Crawford County, Pa., Findley, Hillsdale, Mich., Jesse R., Wyley, Colo., Miss Christina, at home, J. W., Joseph A., and Benson, of Salem, and Marshall, at the old homestead.  Mr. Stevenson was truly a pioneer and served his day and generation well.