Son of Benjamin Franklin Child and his wife Helen "Ellen" Brown Child.

1872 - Stephen organized the fundraiser to purchase a bell for the new First Presbyterian Church built on a plot in Hardin donated by his father in his will:

History of the Presbyterian Church in the State of Illinois;
By Augustus Theodore Norton, 1851 -
HARDIN CHURCH, p. 431
"The church, on March 31, 1872, called H. P. Carson to become their pastor. The call was accepted and he duly ordained at an adjourned meeting of the Presbytery with congregation, July 21, 1872. In the meantime Mr. B. F. Child, on his dying bed, had given the church a lot on which to build a house of worship; so that through the persevering efforts of the pastor-elect, and the earnest and generous contributions and prayers of the members, the congregation and their friends generally, irrespective of creed or denomination, the church was able to present for dedication on the same day a beautiful, modern and tasteful house to the Lord, all furnished, even to a large fine bell. (The
last was secured through the voluntary and generous efforts of the late Captain Stephen Child, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Child, who secured in addition to his own the more than sufficient contributions.) The 21st day of July, 1872, was a memoriable day to the Presbyterian church of Hardin, and to the village and vicinity generally. Every body was present, even Roman Catholics and infidels, and some from twenty miles in the country. The dedicatory services occurred at II A. M., just after the Sabbath school session. Dr. Norton preached the dedicatory sermon. After very generous contributions from the congregation, including every member of Presbytery present, if not every body else, which cleared all financial obligation, Rev. C. S. Armstrong led in the dedicatory prayer."

1876 - Stephen worked with others to produce a history of Calhoun County:

Calhoun County History
CALHOUN COUNTY - Its Early History and First Settlers. Prepared and Read at a Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary at Hardin, Ill., July 4, 1876.
By JOHN LAMMY
"Unwritten history becomes, in the course of time, mere legend or tradition. Written history preserves the deeds of men and the events of their day, and passes them down to posterity as cherished realities or monitory guides to the paths of duty and of honor.
The history here given has been, for the most part, obtained from those who have been either eye witnesses to, or actors in the events narrated.
It may be well for us right here to consider for a moment the fact that the time is not far distant when our actions, and the events of our time, will be commented on and read by others with an interest as great, if not greater, than that with which we regard those who have preceded us. And if their faults and weaknesses serve to guard us against ours, and their nobleness and self-denying integrity serve to inspire us with a spirit of emulation to duty and to right, then our history has served its purpose.
This is far from being a complete account of the past. In the first place, the time was too limited for its accomplishment. And although the committee on whom devolved the duty of obtaining the incidents and facts required did all in their power, yet many neighborhoods are omitted, and many settlers left out from the lack of time and inability to find those most competent to give the information. What is here obtained is mainly due to Mr. Ansell of the Democrat; Attorney John F. Nolle; Attorney A. W. Argust and Capt. Stephen Child, of the committee appointed; and Messrs. A. O. Squier, Aug. greamba, Aug. Smith and others who very generously volunteered much valuable information."

Alton Telegraph
6 August 1874 › Page 3
"CAPT. Stephen Child has been appointed Deputy Clerk of Calhoun county."

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, 1891; Page 501 & 503
"The second born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Child was a son, Stephen. He entered the army as Second Lieutenant in Company E, Sixth Missouri Infantry, was promoted to be First Lieutenant and transferred to Gen. Palmer's staff as Aid and was mustered out as Captain. When his term of enlistment expired he was honorably discharged and returned to his home. In the latter part of Lincoln's administration he served as messenger in the Senate at Washington, being appointed to that position by his uncle, George T. Brown, who was Sergeant-at-Arms from 1861 to 1868. Mr. Child continued to act as messenger until 1868, and then made his home in Hardin, where he breathed his last October 8, 1876. His remains are deposited in the Alton Cemetery, near those of his respected father whose ability, good citizenship and fine character make the name honored by all who knew him."

He was brought back from Hardin to be buried near his father.