Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Joseph STEPHEN, manufacturer and dealer in harness, saddles, etc., Joliet; is a son of John 
STEPHENS, who came to Joliet in 1846, and is now a resident of this city; he was born in 
Grassendorf, Alsace, France, Feb. 17, 1837, and came, with his father's family, to this 
country in 1845, and, after spending one year in Ohio, came to Joliet as above stated; he 
learned his trade of a harness-maker with John BERGEN, in Joliet, completing his 
apprenticeship when he was 15 years old, after which he worked at his trade in various 
places in this State and Iowa for six years; he then went to Waco, Texas, where he 
remained till the breaking-out of the rebellion, himself obliged to either take sides 
with the South or leave the country; he chose the latter alternative, and returned to 
Joliet; in the fall of 1861, he began his present business. He was married Nov. 12, 1861, 
to Miss Antonette HELMEL, who was born in Rinough, Alsace, Aug.4, 1832, and came to this
country, with her parents, in early childhood; they have five children: Lottie L., Oscar 
J., Edmund R., Herman and Bertram. Mr. Stephen is at present School Trustee, to which 
office he was elected in April, 1877.