US Congressman. He grew up in Maine and Michigan and went to work as a logger when he was only fifteen, following his father into the lumber business. Stephenson settled in Menominee in 1858 and was active in banking, real estate, lumbering, farming, horse breeding, a hotel and several other ventures in Michigan and Wisconsin. When Menominee became a town he was elected its first Supervisor, and when the separate city of Menominee was incorporated he was chosen its first Mayor. Stephenson also served on the county Board of Education, and for several years he was Chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. From 1877 to 1878 he served in the Michigan House of Representatives, and he was a State Senator from 1879 to 1880 and 1885 to 1886. Stephenson was also a Delegate to the 1884 and 1888 Republican national conventions. In 1888 he was elected to the US House of Representatives and served four terms, 1889 to 1897. He did not run for reelection in 1896 and returned to his business interests. His brother Isaac was his business partner before relocating to Wisconsin, where he was elected to the US House and Senate. Stephenson Township and the city of Stephenson, both in Menominee County, were named for Robert, Isaac and Samuel.
US Congressman. He grew up in Maine and Michigan and went to work as a logger when he was only fifteen, following his father into the lumber business. Stephenson settled in Menominee in 1858 and was active in banking, real estate, lumbering, farming, horse breeding, a hotel and several other ventures in Michigan and Wisconsin. When Menominee became a town he was elected its first Supervisor, and when the separate city of Menominee was incorporated he was chosen its first Mayor. Stephenson also served on the county Board of Education, and for several years he was Chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. From 1877 to 1878 he served in the Michigan House of Representatives, and he was a State Senator from 1879 to 1880 and 1885 to 1886. Stephenson was also a Delegate to the 1884 and 1888 Republican national conventions. In 1888 he was elected to the US House of Representatives and served four terms, 1889 to 1897. He did not run for reelection in 1896 and returned to his business interests. His brother Isaac was his business partner before relocating to Wisconsin, where he was elected to the US House and Senate. Stephenson Township and the city of Stephenson, both in Menominee County, were named for Robert, Isaac and Samuel.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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