Obit: Stevens, Fred R. (1869 - 1937)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Stevens, Southam, Foster

----Sources: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Wis.) Sat., 30 Oct. 1937

Stevens, Fred R. (9 July 1869 - 9 Oct. 1937)

Many friends throughout this vicinity read last week with sorrow of the death of Fred Stevens, at Devils Lake, N. Dak., on Saturday, Oct. 9th, of a heart attack. Although gone from here for more then fifty years, he retained a keen interest in all its affairs and in his boyhood friends. In later years he visited Humbird as often as his duties would permit, and these visits were always ones of much pleasure to himself and his friends. Of Mr. Stevens, the Devils Lake World Chronicles:

"Masonic funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon for Fred R. Stevens, 68, Ramsey County probate judge and pioneer resident of Crary, who died of a heart attack in his apartments shortly afternoon Saturday. He had been hunting during the day and it is believed that overexertion was a contributing cause of his death. He had been dead for several before found.

"Born in Humbird, Wis., July 9, 1869, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stevens. He came to Ramsey County in 1883, with his parents who homesteaded near Crary in Stevens Township; which was named after his father.

"In 1901, he was married to Rose E. Southam, who died in 1901. To this union, one son, Donovan A. Stevens, of Minneapolis, was born. He was again married in 1907, to Edith Foster, who survives him.

"Until he was elected probate judge in 1924, he was a resident of Crary, where he was engaged in the grain and real estate business and was a partner of Chas. Wright in the implement business. He also practiced law there.

"The deceased was a member of the Masonic bodies and was an active and long time member of the of the Devils Lake Kiwanis Club. He was a staunch Democrat.

"Sir Knights were in charge of the funeral services. Members of the Blue Lodge were in charge of the ritual at the graves. Burial was made in the Crary Cemetery.

"A large crowd of friends from Crary and Devils Lake attended the services for Mr. Stevens, who was one of the most well-known residents of the county."

Mr. Steven’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Loring Wilder, and an infant brother are buried in the Houghtonburg Cemetery. His brother, L. D. Stevens of Crary, died about a year ago.