Hardesty's History of Calhoun County, West Virginia

WILLIAM LEWIS STEVENSON 

     William Lewis Stevenson, deceased, belonged to one of the first 
families of Virginia, and was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, 
a son of Richard L. and Amanda (Herndon) Stevenson, now deceased. The 
date of his birth was November 22, 1822, and in 1856 he became a 
resident in what is now Calhoun County, West Virginia. 
     His wedded life began in the same year, Elizabeth H. Sleeth, 
born January 15, 1831, in what is now Lewis County, West Virginia 
becoming his wife. The parents of Elizabeth H. Sleeth were Alexander 
K. and Catherine (Woh) Sleeth, both now deceased, her father dying in 
1844. 
     The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson was solemnized February 
8, 1856, in Gilmer County, Virginia, and the children born of it were 
two: Fannie L. born May 20, 1860, died May 24, 1862; William L. born 
February 9, 1865, is living at home. 
     When war was inaugurated between the States, William Lewis 
Stevenson entered the Confederate Army as a member of Company E, 14th 
Virginia Cavalry, Jenkins brigade, and served until the battle of 
Gettysburg, where he was wounded. James W. Stevenson, his brother 
fell in the Mexican War. 
     Andrew Stevenson, uncle of William L., was Speaker of the House 
of Representatives under President Andrew Jackson, and was by him 
appointed minister in the Court of St. James. This honorable position 
he continued to fill through the remainder of Jackson's 
administration and through that of his successor, Van Buren. William 
L. Stevenson was also the first cousin to ex-Governor Stevenson of 
Kentucky. 
     When Calhoun was organized as an independent county in 1856, 
William L. Stevenson was appointed prosecuting attorney, a position 
whose duties he discharged until 1861. He also held it two years 
after the war. He was commissioner in chancery for the circuit and 
county courts, and also for school lands in Calhoun County. His death 
was on the 22nd of March, 1883. His family are still making their 
home in Grantsville, Calhoun County, West Virginia. 

(Linda Fluharty)