Kentucky Biographical Encyclopedia, 19th Century

STEVENSON, REV. EDWARD, Clergyman, son of Thomas and Sarah Stevenson, was born October 3, 1797, in Mason County, Kentucky. He received a limited education, but became familiar with the English branches, and made some progress in the study of Latin. He early united with the Methodist Church, and soon felt it his duty to preach the Gospel, delivering his first sermon in his father's house; from that period, became a leader in his community. Although possessing a fine personal appearance, and great powers as an exhorter and singer, his defective education prevented his joining the Conference until he was twenty-three years of age. He was admitted on trial in 1820, and appointed to the Lexington Circuit, with Nathaniel Harris and Samuel Demint. In 1821, he was stationed on the Greenbrier Circuit; in the following year, to the Bowling Green Circuit. At the Conference of 1823, he was appointed to the Bowling Green and Russellville Station, his reputation already preceding him, at every point, as one of the most powerful preachers in the country; and, from the time of his advent in Russellville, Methodism made rapid progress. In 1824, he was appointed to Russellville only; and now, taking rank among the first ministers of his connection, was appointed to the most important stations in the State, ministering for the Churches at Lexington, Frankfort, Shelbyville, Maysville, and Louisville, making for himself every-where a warm place in the affections of the people. In 1834, he was stationed at Mount Sterling, Kentucky; and, while in charge of that Church, became quite a controversialist, defending the doctrines of his Church, with great ability, against the advance of the new religious movement, headed by Alexander Campbell. From Mount Sterling, he returned to Lexington; and afterwards stationed at Danville, and Harrodsburg. In 1839, he was stationed at Hopkinsville; the following year, at Russellville; and, in 1841, was placed in charge of the Hopkinsville District, extending to the mouth of the Cumberland river and to the Tennessee line. He passed over this extensive field, preaching with all the animation of youth and the fervor of the early apostles, being received every-where with the greatest delight; and, during his four years' residence in that district, eleven hundred members were added to the Church. He next took charge of the Brook Street Station, in Louisville, and, in 1853, was Presiding Elder of the East Louisville District. At the General Conference, in 1846, he was elected Secretary of the Missionary Society, and also Assistant Book Agent; took charge of the Book Concern of the West, then located at Louisville; and, in 1854, when the Southern Methodist Publishing House was located in Nashville, Tennessee, he was elected as the principal Agent. Although uneducated to business habits, he managed the affairs of the agency with great skill, meeting the hearty approbation of the Church; but, feeling no longer able to serve the Church in that capacity, was relieved, by his urgent request, in 1858, being appointed in that year, by the General Conference, to the presidency of the Russellville Collegiate Institute, presiding over its affairs with satisfaction until his death. Born and reared in the South, during the great civil was his sympathy was with that section, and he shared with his friends the calamities of the times. He was a member of the General Conference, in 1836; again, in 1844; was a member of the Convention at Louisville, in 1845; of the General Conference of 1846, and of every succeeding Conference until his death. Mr. Stevenson was twice married. His first wife died in 1839, and his second survived him. He died July 6, 1864, in Russellville, Kentucky.