E. M. STEPHENS was born August 25, 1839, in Caldwell County, Ky., and is a son of Jonathan and Judith (Thurmond) Stephens, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. Jonathan Stephens came to Kentucky in an early day, and settled in Caldwell County, near Princeton. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Mitcheson, by whom he had seven children, only one of whom is living—Mildred, wife of Henry Cooksey. By his second marriage he had eight children, named as follows; James E. (deceased), Adaline E. (deceased), Mary F., Peter O., E. M., Jonathan, Rebecca Ann and Judith (deceased). Subject's parents having died when he was quite young, he went to live in the family of his grandmother, Mrs. Thurmond, with whom he remained until sixteen years of age. He then commenced life on his own responsibility as a farm laborer in Caldwell County, working for different parties until 1868, at which time he purchased land about one mile south of Princeton. He came in possession of a part of his present land in 1869, and since that time has purchased the entire farm, consisting of 200 acres of good land. Mr. Stephens was married in October, 1869, to Mrs. Teresa Hunter, daughter of Stallard Scott, of Caldwell County. One child was born to this union—Reuben M.. Mrs. Stephens died August, 1877, aged thirty-nine years. In April, 1882, Mr. Stephens was married to Miss Elizabeth Francis, daughter of James and Sarah Francis. To this union one child has been born—Meredith.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 714.