"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 624. Malheur County. HON. JOHN F. STEVENS It is with pleasure that we are enabled to chronicle a review of the career of the worthy and estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article and who has walked the path of the pioneer of the west for nearly half a century, displaying meantime those characteristics of patriotism, stability, vigor, integrity, and fine ability with which he is so happily possessed, and ever performing the part of the true man and stanch citizen in the various places where he has wrought with credit to himself, being at the present time the choice of the people of Malheur county for the responsible position of county judge, in which capacity he is demonstrating the practical ability and sound judgment possessed by him, much to the general satisfaction of the people. Mr. Stevens was born in Tompkins county, New York, on April 14, 1834, being the son of Edson L., and Abba A. (Tucker) Stevens. The parents remained in New York state and there died, the father in 1888, and the mother in 1899, being in her eighty-fifth year. Our subject remained with his parents until 1859, receiving a common school education and in that year came west to Macon, Missouri, by cars and from there with ox teams across the plains to Denver, Colorado, there being but one house in the town at that time. He followed mining in that section until 1862, then came with mule teams to Walla Walla and on to The Dalles, where he wintered. The following spring he came to Boise and soon after that trip we find him teaming from Umatilla to the mines in Idaho, receiving as high as fifty cents per pound for some freight. During this teaming he passed frequently over the site of Pendleton, there being no houses there then. In 1866 he went to Montana and followed mining until 1868, then went to Mendocino and Humboldt counties, California, and there engaged in the stock business. In 1871 he came back to Umatilla and engaged in raising sheep. This continued until 1874, when he went to the Powder river, near Baker City, and handled cattle. He was county commissioner at the time the line dividing Grant and Baker was surveyed. Eighteen hundred and ninety was the date of the advent of Mr. Stevens into Malheur county, he at that time starting a general merchandise establishment in Malheur City, which business he steadily prosecuted until 1900, when he was called by the people to assume the responsibilities of the office of county judge and in that capacity we find him at this writing, handling the business incumbent that he has the approval and confidence of the entire population of the county. Judge Stevens is now residing in Vale, and although not the wealthiest man in the state, he is possessed of a goodly portion of this world's property and is one of the most substantial men of the county. Judge Stevens was elected to his present position on the Republican ticket and he states that the first vote cast by him was for John C. Fremont, and he has steadily in national politics voted that ticket ever since. The judge has always walked this pilgrimage way alone, never deciding to assume the responsibilities of the matrimonial relation, but preferring the quieter joys and comforts of the celibate's life. In all the days of his pioneer life he has always been among the first in whatever undertaking was at hand, has done much real labor for the upbuilding of the sections where his toil has been bestowed, and in all the hardships of pioneering, as weathering the storms, trudging over the mountains, packing blankets, faring on limited provisions, doing hurculean work, enduring hardships and deprivations constantly, Judge Stevens has had a lion's share, and he is eminently deserving of the confidence and bestowal of honor which is his from a wise and open-hearted people, and no man in Malheur county to-day is more in the hearts of the people. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.