Myron G. Stevenson, a respected resident and a well known business man of Ashland, Kan., has been closely identified with the public and business life of that town almost since its organization, and has been a potential factor in its growth and development. Mr. Stevenson is an Ohio man, born in the city of Youngstown, Oct. 16, 1862. His father, Matthew Stevenson, was born in Ireland, Jan. 4, 1834, and in his native isle was educated for the ministry. In 1856, however, he immigrated to the United States and located at Youngstown, Ohio, where he engaged in the mercantile business until 1872. There he married Miss Sarah Patten, in 1859. In 1872 he removed his family to Indiana, where he prospected as a coal miner and for several years engaged in the mercantile business, at Veedersburg. He was similarly engaged at different points up to 1906, when the loss of his eyesight compelled him to close a long and active business career. He is a member of the Masonic order, and he and his wife now reside with their son, Myron G. Of their union four children were born: Miranda, born in 1860, died in infancy; Myron G. is the second in order of birth; Carrie E., born Oct. 3, 1864, is the wife of W. L. Livengood, of Jonesboro, Ark.; and Warren H., born July 2, 1869, died at Veedersburg, Ind., Sept. 20, 1884.

Myron G. Stevenson received his education in the public schools at Attica and Veedersburg, Ind. His independent career began as a salesman and bookkeeper, in which capacities he served eight years. In 1884 he began the printer's trade at Veedersburg, Ind., and in 1886 came to Ashland, Kan., where he became foreman in the office of the "Ashland Herald." In 1888 he became editor and part owner of the "Ashland Journal," which he conducted until 1896. It was a progressive Republican paper and was discontinued in 1897. After severing his newspaper connections Mr. Stevenson entered the furniture business and conducted a store in Ashland until 1907. In the meantime he became a licensed embalmer, in 1907 he gave up his former business and opened a loan and abstract office, to which he has since given his attention exclusively. In 1910 he was elected a justice of the peace and at the present time is a deputy state oil inspector for Clark county. In his political views Mr. Stevenson is a Republican and has always been a very active and prominent worker in behalf of his party, though he has not sought political preferment. For eighteen years he was a member of the Clark county Republican central committee, of which he has served as chairman and as secretary. He also has been at different times a member of the state, senatorial, congressional and judiciary committees, and is an influential factor in both local and state politics. He served as clerk of the judiciary committee in the Kansas house of representatives during the session of 1895. Fraternally he is a memberber of the time-honored Masonic order.

On Oct. 5, 1890, Mr. Stevenson and Miss Mary Fidelia Curtis, of Ashland, were united in marriage. Mrs. Stevenson was born Aug. 25, 1864, at Bushnell, Ill., daughter of George W. Curtis, a pioneer farmer of Clark county, Kansas, and a native of Kentucky. He is a veteran of both the Mexican and Civil wars and now resides in Woodward county, Oklahoma. Mrs. Stevenson came to Kansas with her parents in 1885, and for several years prior to her marriage was a teacher in Clark county. She is a member of the Baptist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have been born two children: Chester A., born at Topeka, Kan., Oct. 10, 1891, is storekeeper for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, in charge of the Oklahoma division; Miss Naida Z., born at Ashland, Aug. 20, 1893, is a senior in the Ashland High School.