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Reynoldsvillc, Pa., July 20, 1910.
Volume 19, Number 11.
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Established by C. A. Stephenson
7Way 11th, 1892.
IN cTWEMORIAM
CLARENCE ALEXANDER STEPHENSON, founder; of The
Star and for over eighteen years its editor, died in tbe
American Stomach Hospital in Philadelphia at 2.15 p. m.
Friday, July 15th, 1910. Ulceration of the stomach had caused
him much trouble in recent years and he had gone to the hospital
four weeks previous to the end to undergo an operation. The sur
geons found the case more serious than had been anticipated, but
the operation, performed Saturday, June 18th, was pronounced
successful; the patient rallied, and hope for his recovery was ex
pressed. Shortly after congestion of the lungs set in and this,
coming after the strain and shock of a severe surgical operation,
was too much for his weakened constitution , to bear. The heart
gradually weakened and death came at the time above stated.
Mr. Stephenson retained consciousness to the end and fought
yaliantly for his life. His wife, who accompanied him to Philadel
phia and remained near him throughout the trying period of his
struggle for life, was at his bedside when his spirit took flight.
The body was prepared for burial in Philadelphia, shipped to
Reynoldsville Friday night and arrived here Saturday morning.
Hughes & Fleming, funeral directors, removed it from the Penn
sylvania station to the late home of the deceased on Grant street,
where it rested until Monday noon. The bier wa9 then taken to
the Methodist Episcopal church, where the casket wa9 opened and
was viewed by over five hundred of the -deceased man's friends
before the hour of the funeral service.
At two o'clock an impressive service was conducted! over the
remains by the Rev. John F. Black, pastor of the Methodist Epis
copal church, in which he wa9 assisted by the Rev. Messrs. J. C.
McDonald and J. Bell Neff, of DuBois. The former had officiated
at the funerals of the father and mother and a sister of Mr. Steph
enson and was a life-long friend of the departed man. Touching
tributes to the sterling character of Mr. Stephenson were paid by
all three of the ministers and many in the audience were moved to
tears as the service proceeded. At the close the audience was dis
missed and the casket, watched over by friends, remained in the
church until seven o'clock in the evening to give opportunity for a
sister residing in Alabama, who could ''not reach Reynoldsville
until 6:22 Monday evening, an opportunity to gaze once more on
the features of a brother whom she had not seen for over twenty
years. At seven the casket was placed in the funeral car and the
cortege slowly moved to the Reynoldsville cemetery, where, just
as the sun was sinking below the western horizon, the Rev. John
F. Black offered a fervent prayer and breathed the last "Good
Night" to the one who had fallen into the last deep sleep. While a
quartette sang in a subdued tone the flower-laden casket was
gently lowered into the grave.
Mr. Stephenson was born in Milton, Pa., October 1st, 1857,
making him 52 years, 9 months and 14 days old at time of death.
His parents, Josiah and Elizabeth Stephenson, came to Reynolds
ville over forty years ago. Clarence Stephenson attended the
pioneer log cabin schools of the village. After gaining a good
common school education he entered the office of a Reynoldsville
newspaper as an apprentice to learn the printing trade. A few
years later he went to Pittsburgh and was employed in a job
printing establishment for a time, leaving it to accept the position
of foreman in the office of the St. Marys Gazette, in Elk county.
When Frank J. Black was editing a little journal in Reynoldsville
known as The Paper. Mr. Stephenson returned to this place to
become foreman of the office. When the paper was purchased by
W. C: Elliott and re-christened The Volunteer, Mr. Stephenson re
mained with the new management as foreman. May 11th. 1892,
the first issue of The Star was published and from that time until
the day of his death Mr. Stephenson was in constant touch with
the paper. The success which came to the publication is almost
wholly due to his individual efforts. In its editorial policy and
business management it reflected in a striking way his personal
character.
May 21, 1884, Mr. Stephenson was united in marriage to
Miss Laura Gilson Reynolds, who suryives to mourn his passing.
His father and mother, as well as .one sister, Mrs. Josephine
Weitzel, preceded ftim to the grave. The surviving brothers and
sisters are as follows: j
John Stephenson, of Pittsburgh, Samuel B. Stephansori, of Pitts
burgh, Mrs. John R. Elder, of DuBois, Mrs. Robert Moffat, of,
Calera, Alabama, Mrs. E. S. Vosburg, of Pbilipston, Pa., and Mrs.
Dell Ray Fowler, of Yankton, Oregon. The father and mother of
the deceased and three sisters, Mr9. Josephine Weitzel and two
who died in early childhood, preceded him to the grave and lie in
the family lot in the Reynoldsville cemetery.
The following relatives were here from a distance to attend
the funeral: John Stephenson and wife, S. B. Stephenson, of Pitts
burgh, John R. Elder and family, of DuBois, E. S. Vosburg and
family, of Philipston, Harvey Stephenson, of Pittsburgh, L. M
Weitzel and wife, of fselin, Mrs. Clara Galbraith, Mrs. Yockey,
and Mrs. S. M. Barclay, all of Butler, Charles Stephenson and
wife, of East Brady, Clarence Stephenson, of Philipston, Walter
B. and Will Reynolds, of Warren, Robert Norris andwife, of
Connellsville.
Among others who came from a distance to attend theTuneral
were W. H. Bunce and family, of Kane, C. C, Benscotcr and wife,
ofBrookville, Hon. W. 0. Smith, Horace G. Miller, Hon. T. M.
Kurtz, of Punxsutawney, Thomas V. Hendricks, ofBrookville.
The floral tribute wa9 very beautiful. Large pieceswere given
by the official board of the M. E. church, the M. E. Sunday school,
the Epworth League, the Utopia Society, Dr. A. J. Meek, L. M.
Weitzel, Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. F. M.
Brown, John R. Flder, Mrs. E. S. Vosburg, and Mrs. S. M. Barclay,
Mrs. C. A. Stephenson's Sunday school class, and there were also
numerous large bouquets from friends of the family handed in at
the home to which no cards were attached.
As a mark of respect to Mr. Stephenson practically all stores
and hotels in Reynoldsville were closed from 2 to 3 o'clock Mon
day, the hour of funeral service. The request to close was made
by officials of the Business Men's Association.
The private character of Mr. Stephenson was without blemish;
no taint of scandal ever resting on his reputation during his long
career as a citizen of the town. - It was his constant aim to deal
fairly and honestly with every man and in all the immense .
quantity of mr.tter written by him during an editorial career of
eighteen years it would be hard to find an instance of personal
prejudice coloring his presentation of news to the public; and
certainly he never willfully planted a thorn in any man's bosom.
The writer of this tribute was for more than thirteen years in daily
contact with the deceased editor and knew the traits of his
character as few others had opportunity to learn. He was quiet
and reserved and few knew the constant struggle against physical
weakness he was forced to make. No one could become familiar
with the difficulties he overcame without gaining a very high re
spect for the pluck and perseverance and grim determination
which lay behind the frail physique of the man, and enabled him
by sheer force of will to hold himself to his work when many a
man less accustomed to pain would have given up in despair. His
life for eighteen years past was wrapped up in the success of The
Star. He was usually at the desk long before any of the employes
arrived and was there when they went home. Scrupulously care
ful in his treatment of the news, he endeavored faithfully to cover
his chosen field without giving offense to any interest or in
dividual. Not infrequently he would omit legitimate items if he
had reason to believe that their publication would cause pain to
his friends and his friends were the people of Reynoldsville.
One of the cardinal traits of Mr. Stephenson's character
was his respect for things religious. From an early age he
had been prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal
church and his sincerity in working for all that would ad
vance the canse of religion was never questio ned. Many per
sons in Reynoldsville can recall the days of childhood when the
M. E. Sunday school and the name of Clarence Stephenson
were almost synonymous, for he had served for many years as
superintendent of that institution, at one time for nine years
consecutively. He was also a class leader in the church and
a member of the board of stewards. No appeal for financial
support in the church was ever made but found him a wil
ling contributor.
In politics and civil life, he played a less prominent parti
believing, asjhejfrequently stated, that his position as editor
of an independent paper demanded that he keep clear of the
strife and factional quarrels so common in both. But while
avoiding active association, he took a keen interest in the
affairs of countv and town and was at one time strongly
urged to become a candidate for the Republican nomination
for countv treasurer.
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