[compiled and edited by Mrs. William John Gross, 220 North Nineteenth Street, Clarinda, Iowa, 1941]
Stephen D. Paris, a son of James C. Paris and Anna May, was born near Ruddles Mills, in Clark County, Kentucky, on February 11, 1820. He married Elizabeth A. Stivers, of Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, on November 1, 1840. They were considered one of the oldest wedded couples in that state, being married for sixty-seven years. Elizabeth was born April 12, 1823, in Fayette county, Ky., and was a daughter of Rozelle P. Stivers, who before the war, resided near Stony Point. To Elizabeth and Stephen D. Paris were born twelve children: James M. in 1841, Rozelle (Roselle) in 1842, Nancy Jane in 1845, Anna Elizabeth (Lydia) in 1847, Hugh D. in 1849, Mary T. (Mary Frances) in 1851, Samuel in 1852, John H. in 1857, Sarah A. in 1860, Ulysses Grant in 1864, Minnie Campton, and Luella in 1867. They also had thirty-two grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren living at the time of his death.
In 1858, Stephen Paris emigrated to Missouri, locating near the Kansas border, where he proceeded with great energy and success to establish a home for himself and family. But unfortunately, the great disorder which prevailed in that section during this period, regarding the question of slavery, and known in history as the "Border Warfare," soon made it untenable and unsafe for him to remain, as he was extremely anti-slavery in sentiment, notwithstanding his Kentucky birth. He disposed of all his property at a ruinous sacrifice and removed his family to Ohio, where they would be safe during the Civil War, which was impending.
He and his eldest son, Rozelle, enrolled in Company B of the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in October 1861. Thus, father and son went forth together to battle for the sacred cause of Our Country and Our Flag. His son soon laid down his young life upon his country's sacred altar and perished in the cause of Liberty. Stephen was captured at Winchester, Virginia and was later paroled at Sugar Tree Ridge, Ohio. He served his country faithfully to the end - received an honorable discharge and returned home, broken in health and fortune, to begin anew the duties of civil life, which he performed faithfully and to the complete satisfaction of his family and all friends. He, again, re-enlisted as a private in the 24th Independent Battery Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery in 1863. He mustered in for a period of three years.
While Stephen Paris' hair was snowy white from his advanced age, he was alert and active as a man of sixty and frequently walked distances of more than a mile. He had a very kindly face and quiet manners, with eyes that could see to the very heart of things. He was a man who carried the riches of God within himself. Reverential of all that was great and good. He was a farmer.
He was a man of unimpeachable character and integrity. In middle life, he embraced Christianity and joined the Methodist Episcopal church; he lived a consistent member of same until the end, and died in the full assurance of the Christian faith.
His funeral service was conducted in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Peebles, by the Rev. J. Verity of the Cincinnati conference, assisted by the Rev. Cyrus Riffle, of the Kentucky conference, who was a son-in-law of the deceased. Three sons and three grandsons acted as pallbearers, while six Grand Army comrades acted as guard of honor. The casket was covered with beautiful flowers and draped with the "One Flag" of our country. The remains were interred in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends.
Stephen Paris passed away from pneumonia February 26, 1907, at his home in Peebles, Adams County, Ohio. This occurred 15 days after his eighty-seventh birthday. Elizabeth passed on in 1908 at the age of eighty-five.
