DEATH OF A CENTENARIAN

Mrs. Delilah F. STEVENSON, perhaps the oldest individual in Jefferson County, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. C. MADDOX, at 113 South Green Street in this city, at twenty-five minutes past three o'clock this morning.

Mrs. STEVENSON was one of the pioneers and prominent figures of Jefferson County, having lived in Mt. Vernon and vicinity for more than half century, and had been closely identified with all the religious and moral movements of the community.

Mrs. STEVENSON was born in Bartee County, North Carolina, in 1794 0r 1795, in the absence of the family records some uncertainty exists as to the correct date.

In the early years of her girlhood she removed from her native State of Princeton, KY., where at the age of twenty-three years, she married Matthew J. STEVENSON and soon after removed with her husband to Illinois, first settling at Old Frankfort, in Franklin County, in 1818, where Mr. STEVENSON worked at his trade as a blacksmith for several years.

Returning to the South, Mr. and Mrs. STEVENSON located in Tennessee, but shortly after came back to Illinois and established themselves at Golconda, Pope County, from whence they removed to Mt. Vernon where Mrs. STEVENSON has since resided.

Four of Mrs. STEVENSON's children are still living. They are John, the oldest, living at Troy Grove, LaSalle County, Ill.; Mrs. Eliza MADDOX, of this city; Mrs. A. C. McLAUGHLIN, of Troy Grove; and Henry, a prominent farmer of Shiloh Township, this county.

Matthew STEVENSON died 56 years ago and his widow afterwards married John CRAWFORD, who lived but a short time. After his death his widow reassumed the name of STEVENSON, which she has ever since borne.

Mrs. STEVENSON was a devout Christian and had been a member of the M.E. Church for a great number of years. T

Telegrams announcing the death of Mrs. STEVENSON have been sent to John and Mrs. McLAUGHLIN, her two children at Troy Grove, and they are expected to arrive on the Air Line accommodation tonight to attend the funeral, which will be held at the M.E. Church tomorrow morning. Rev. J. B. THOMPSON, of Salem, has been sent for to preach the funeral sermon. The interment will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Source: Mt. Vernon IL Register (Weekly)
Date: September 20, 1893
Submitted by Mary Zinzilieta

Note from Sandy:
There is a Findagrave Memorial that states her maiden name is Freeman and her parents are Aaron Freeman and Judith Fleetwood. They also have her name last name spelled Stephenson.