History of Johnson County Iowa United States of America

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Stevenson, Samuel Kirkwood, was born on a farm in Scott township, Johnson county, Iowa, March 10, 1867. His father, John A. Stevenson, now a retired farmer, is a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa in 1857. He was a member of the board of supervisors of Johnson county for a number of years, has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and is an ardent republican. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, and the family for six generations have been steadfast in their adherence to the Presbyterian church. Several members of the family have been prominent ministers in that church.

William E. Stevenson, uncle of Samuel K., was the first governor of West Virginia. Mr. Stevenson's mother's maiden name was Henrietta Griffiths. She was born in London, Eng., and came to America when 18 years of age.

Samuel K. received his early education in the schools of the rural districts of Johnson county, after which he attended the academy at Iowa City, and graduated from that school in 1889. He then entered the State university, and graduated in the class of 1893 with the degree of Ph. D. He was chosen one of six out of a class of forty-eight to deliver an oration on commencement day. He was president of the Zethagathian Literary society during the fall term of 1892, and was one of the three debaters in the first joint debate between the universities of Iowa and Minnesota, held at Minneapolis, Minn., which debate was won unanimously by Iowa. He was business manager of Vidette Reporter, the university paper, during the years 1892-3, and was also the treasurer and one of the organizers of the University Lecture Bureau. He was just completing the law course in the State university when he was elected to the position of superintendent of schools of Johnson county in November, 1893. The high regard in which he was held by the people, and the faith they had in his qualifications for the position, was shown when they elected him on the republican ticket with a majority of 725, while the head of the ticket was democratic by 700 majority. He was re-elected in November, 1895, and was the only republican elected in the county. During all the time that he held his office, nearly two terms, he devoted a great deal of attention to educational meetings, holding them in every township in the county. They were very largely attended, and resulted in arousing a deep interest in school work on the part of parents and teachers. He organized the Johnson County Teachers' association, which now holds four yearly meetings. He also organized the Johnson County School Officials' association, which is one of the first of its kind in the state, and has a large and enthusiastic membership. He introduced the school library movement in Johnson county, and during the last two years he was in office, ninety-five school libraries were established in that county. He raised the standard of qualification for teachers so that the grade of teachers in Johnson county now stands second to none in the state. He was the editor of the Johnson County Teacher, a monthly school paper published in the interest of education. In the spring of 1897 he organized the Johnson County School of Methods, which was largely attended by the progressive teachers of eastern Iowa because of the high quality of instruction given. At this meeting resolutions were unanimously passed by the teachers and others assembled there, expressing their commendation and appreciation to Superintendent Stevenson for making possible for them this most excellent institute of methods. He has read several papers on educational themes before the State Teachers' association on School Libraries, How to Establish and Maintain Them, and on School Exhibitions, are They Beneficial. He has organized and held school exhibitions at the Johnson county fairs with good results to the school work.

Mr. Stevenson was elected superintendent of the city schools of Iowa City, April 28, 1897, which position he still holds. The position was tendered him without solicitation. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Iowa City public library. He is also secretary of the Johnson County Sunday School union, and superintendent of the First Presbyterian Sunday school of Iowa City. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and has been a ruling elder in the church since April, 1895. Superintendent Stevenson was married to Miss Marcia A. Jacobs, of Cedar Rapids, on August 2, 1898.

SOURCE: Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa published by Conway and Shaw, Des Moines: 1899.

History of Johnson County Iowa

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