James B. Stephens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James B. Stephens
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | November 9, 1806 |
| Died | March 22, 1889 (aged 82) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Walker |
James B. Stephens (November 9, 1806 – March 22, 1889) was an important pioneer in the U.S. state of Oregon. He was a cooper, meaning he made barrels. James Stephens ran one of the first ferries across the Willamette River in what was then called East Portland, Oregon.
His father was the first person buried in Portland's Lone Fir Cemetery. James Stephens was born in Virginia. He is known for founding East Portland, and Stephens Street in Portland, Oregon is named after him.
Contents
Early Life
James Stephens was born on November 9, 1806. This was in Brooke County, Virginia, which is now part of West Virginia. His father was Emmor Stephens. When James was eight, his family moved to a farm in the Indiana Territory.
He learned the cooper trade, which means he learned how to make barrels. He worked as a cooper for many years in Indiana and in Cincinnati, Ohio. James married Elizabeth Walker in 1830 when he lived in Kentucky. They had seven children, but sadly, only one lived longer than they did. Before moving to the Oregon Country in 1844, he started a farm and a grocery store. He settled near what is now Portland, Oregon.
Life in Oregon
When James Stephens arrived in Oregon, he opened a cooper shop in Oregon City. He bought the wood for his barrels from William Overton. Overton was one of the people who helped start the city of Portland.
Overton offered to sell Stephens his land claim in Portland. He wanted 300 new salmon barrels for it. But Stephens said no because he wanted to get another piece of land. He got this new land in 1845. This is where East Portland was later founded. East Portland was even known as "Stephens' Addition" for a while.
In 1846, he made 1000 barrels for flour and 400 barrels for salmon. These were for the Hudson's Bay Company, a big trading company. In 1847, he made 400 barrels for beef. These were shipped all the way to the Sandwich Islands, as Hawaii was called then.
In East Portland, James Stephens started the very first ferry. It was located near where the Morrison Bridge is today. The ferry began operating in 1846. It was the first ferry in what later became Multnomah County. At that time, it was part of the Twality District. During the California Gold Rush, Stephens sold his land. He then traveled south to look for gold.
He came back in 1850. He bought land in what is now Southeast Portland from John McLoughlin. Stephens planned out the town from the Willamette River to East First Street. He also planned it from Glisan Street to Hawthorne Street. He divided his land into many small lots. He offered these lots to settlers on terms they could afford. People said he really helped East Portland grow. The Stark Street Ferry across the Willamette River started in 1853. In 1855, he helped create the Pacific Telegraph Company.
Stephens made East Portland even bigger in 1861. He also opened the East Portland Savings and Loan Bank. In 1862, he gave land for a hospital to be built. This was the Oregon Hospital for the Insane in East Portland. His bank, located at First and Oak streets, closed in 1873. Stephens also ran a ferry across the Willamette River at Oregon City for 17 years.
Lone Fir Cemetery
James’ father, Emmor, died in 1846. He was buried on the family land in East Portland. In 1854, Stephens sold this land to Colburn Barrell. Stephens made sure that Barrell promised to take care of his father's grave.
On April 8, 1854, Barrell’s ship, the Gazelle, exploded. This accident killed his business partner and several other people. They were all buried next to Emmor Stephens. After this, Barrell created Mt. Crawford Cemetery on about 10 acres of land. This cemetery later became Lone Fir Cemetery after 20 more acres were added in 1866. James Stephens and his wife Elizabeth are both buried there.
Legacy
James B. Stephens died on March 22, 1889. He was 82 years old. A liberty ship called the SS James B. Stephens was named after him. The James B. Stephens House is one of the oldest houses in Portland. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stephens Street in Portland is also named in his honor.
