Herman Stephan

Herman Stephan, farmer, section 20, Richmond Township, was born in Germany, Sept. 15, 1843, of which country his parents, Gottlieb and Julia Stephan, were also natives. They emigrated to the Dominion of Canada in 1855, when their son was 13 years of age. The latter remained there until 1862, the date of his removal to Osceola County. His first homestead claim of 80 acres is included in the farm of 118 acres of which he is now owner, and of which 98 acres have surrendered to the forces of energy, judgment and perserverance that have been brought to bear on them, and are under creditable and profitable cultivation.

In the fall of 1863 Mr. Stephan enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Calvary, and remained in the military service of the United States until the close of the war. Still true to the principles for which he braved the fate of war, he is a supporter and endorser of the issues of the Republican party.

He was first married Sept. 19, 1865, in Richmond Township to Mary Ruppert, and they had four children, - Ernest, William, Laura and Julia. Their mother died Sept. 17, 1875. Mr. Stephan was again married Nov. 21, 1875, to Elizabeth Schnatz. She was a native of Germany, as was her predecessor, and was born April 4, 1853. Two children born of the second marriage died in infancy. Four survive, - Mary, Catherine, Herman and Lizzie. The parents belong to the Lutheran Church.

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