Clark J. Stevens

Clark J. Stevens was born in 1857 in Leon Co.  He was the son of Clark C. and Frances (Menefee)  Stevens.  The family were original residents of Washington County, Texas.

Clark J., with his family, were established farmers of Washington Co, Rogers Prairie areas before and during the Civil War.. They owned land and were some of the first homesteaders.

Clark J. along with his parents, brothers and sisters livelihood was from farming.  They raised cotton, corn, and vegetable gardens.  Clark J. was plowing with a hand plow by the time he was 12 years old.  He was responsible for the crops, tending to the oxen, and the upkeep of his plows and tools. He was looked upon as a partner with his dad in the survival for the family.

During the Civil War, Clark's dad and two of his uncles, John and Alexander, joined the Confederacy under the leadership of Captain Wilson, in 1862. Clark C. Stevens died as a Confederate soldier, so Clark J. became the man of the house, helping his mother provide for the other children.

The family left Washington Co., Rogers Prairie area and moved to the Siloam, Social Grove areas of our Leon Co.  They made the move for a new beginning of farm life.  They owned land in the new Social Grove and Siloam communities.

The Clark J. Stevens farm was located on what is now CR 277 today, on the right side of the road, when traveling off FM 1618, before you get to the Bill Hargrove home place.

Clark J. built a frame house.  He along with his mother and other family members farmed, had livestock and with the wild game and berries and fruit, which provided them with a fair living.  Today, an oak tree still stands where the Clark J. Stevens home was.  It has been there since the 1800's.

Clark C. and his family members were actively involved in the church ministry.  They attended church at the Social Grove, Siloam, Flo Center Point Missionary Baptist Churches and was involved in the mission ministry of the Trinity River Baptist Association.  He and Bro Enoch Parrish were leaders, being traveling evangelists.  Both served as pastors of churches.

Bro. Clark Stevens became a Christian and minister at a young age.  He lived his life serving God and promoting the Missionary Baptist Church ministry. He was the pastor of the Clear Creek Baptist Church of the Flynn / Marquez areas, of the Flo Center Point Missionary Baptist Church, and the Midway, Flo Social Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  He was also associated with the Siloam Baptist Church.  He helped with the establishment of the Trinity River Baptist Association.  He was among the associated ministers of the organized Siloam Baptist Church that gave an area to our Flo Center Point Baptist Church.

Bro. Stevens served as pastor of our Flo Center Point Baptist Church between 1899-1904.  Then he was pastor of the Midway Social Grove Church, probably in 1905.  He was a faithful minister of God.  He ministered to the sick and shut-ins and was there for his church family, relatives, and neighbors.  He married couples and was there for the new born babies and he held funerals.

Bro. Stevens was married twice.  He was first married to Margaret Cummings, the daughter of John and Eliza Cummings of Leon Co.  Bro. Stevens and Margaret were parents of seven sons, Luther, Leonard, Freddie, John, Shedie, Alvin, and Warren.

After he lost Margaret, Bro. Stevens later married Jennie (Page) Rodgers, the daughter of Huey and Mariah (Matthews) Page.  Jennie's first husband was Joseph Rodgers.  They were the parents of Mariah LaCresia, Sarah, John, James, Mary, and Laudie.

Mariah married Samuel Parsons.  Their son Huey married Pauline Schaeffer.  Their daughter Lorene married Alvis Ward.  They were the parents of our Butch Ward, a native of our Midway, Flo community.

Aunt Jennie, as she was called, was a dear lady of our Midway, Siloam, Flo areas.  She was a devoted Christian and a faithful servant of God.  She deeded two acres of land in 1905 to build the Social Grove Baptist Church and cemetery.  She was a loving wife to her husband, Bro. Clark J. Stevens.  She was a blessing to him in his ministry as God's servant.

Bro. Stevens, Margaret and Jennie are buried at the Social Grove Cemetery.