Source: History of Bureau Co., IL; H. C. Bradsby, Editor; Chicago: World Publishing Co.; 1885
Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin, Tampico Area Historical Society, www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page: 663

B. N. STEVENS, Tiskilwa, was born January 3, 1813, in Boscawen, now Webster, N. H. His early life was spent in his native town, where he attended the common schools and also the academy, after attending the academy at Hopkinton. He was a student at the "La Petite Seminary" of Montreal one year, and then entered Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1835. He then established the "Pestolozzian Institute," named in honor of the Swiss teacher, in Hopkinville, Ky. After three years of active work in the institute he returned to his old home in New Hampshire, where he was married September 26, 1839, in the town of Lebanon, to Lydia P. ALDEN, who was born October 22, 1811, in Lebanon, N. H. She is a direct descendant of John ALDEN, who came to America in the "May Flower." Her parents, Ziba and Sybil (ALLEN) ALDEN, were also natives of New Hampshire. They were the parents of six children, of whom only four reached maturity, viz.: Phineas, Lydia P., Horace and Mrs. Delia SMITH. Of these only the latter and Mrs. STEVENS are now living. Mr. and Mrs. STEVENS have two sons living, viz.: Alden N. and Charles M. STEVENS. After Mr. STEVENS was married he went to New York City, where he taught select school for a period of three years. In September, 1843, he came to Bureau County, Ill., which he had visited in 1836. He formed a partnership with his father, John STEVENS, and his brother Justus, and afterward Calvin STEVENS also. The firm was known as J.  STEVENS & SONS, and did a large mercantile business in Princeton and Indiantown, now Tiskilwa, to which he removed his family in 1845, In 1848 the firm was changed to STEVENS & SONS, who did business after this in Tiskilwa. In 1857 Calvin STEVENS bought out the store, and our subject engaged in milling, farming and the lumber business. In 1877 he formed a partnership with John H. WELSH, and opened theTiskilwa Bank. His two sons are equally interested in the bank and also the real estate, which consists of many valuable farms and town property. Mr. STEVENS also established a store in Buda, and one in Tiskilwa, which he continued for a number of years, but finally sold out. At present Mr. STEVENS is practically retired from active life. He lived nearly four years in Chicago, but now resides at his home in Tiskilwa. Religiously he and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian Church. Mr. STEVENS has been an active man in his time in Bureau County.He is the only Democratic Congressman ever elected from this county (see General History) and elected Supervisor of his township when it was Republican, and held that office for nine years.