Bancroft, Hubert Howe. The History of Oregon, Vol. I 1834-1848. From "The Works
of Hubert Howe Bancroft," Vol. XXIX.  The History Company, San Francisco, CA,
1886. pg. 469.

JAS. B. STEPHENS

	Jas. B. Stephens was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1806.  At
the age of 8 years he removed with his father to Indiana, where he remained
until he was 26, when he made another westward movement, and located on the
Mississippi River, opposite Fort Madison, where he supplied the steamboats with
wood and continued to reside for 11 years.  Emigrating in 1844 to Oregon with
his family, in the autumn of 1845 he bought a land claim on the east bank of the
Willamette, opposite Portland, which is now the site of East Portland, and where
he still resides.  Overton, who had claimed on the other side, but wished to
leave the country, offered Stephens his land for $200, but the latter having no
money, and nothing to depend on except his trade, which was coopering, declined.
It was after this offer that he purchased East Portland at an administrator's
sale, Lovejoy being the seller.  Nesmith was present for the purposes of
bidding, but learning that Stephens desired the place for his business, and to
make a home, the former gave way.  This was during his term as judge of proabte,
the sale being under his order.  This illustrates the generous spirit of the men
of 1843.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project by Jenny Tenlen. Submitter has no
additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.