Stevenson, John J. (John James), 1841-1924

Reverend James John Stevenson was the son of the Reverend Andrew Stevenson of Ballylaw, Ireland, and Ann Mary (Wilson) Stevenson, a native of Bedford, Pennsylvania. The elder Stevenson emigrated to America in 1831, and James Stevenson was born in 1841.

Stevenson spent the early years of his life in New York City where he was educated in urban private schools. In 1860 he enrolled in New York University (then the University of the City of New York). While at the University, he was winner of the Sophomore Greek Prize and was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Philomathean Society; he was elected to Delta Phi and Phi Beta Kappa Societies and was honored as commencement orator. Following graduation in 1863, he went to upper New York State and taught mathematics and natural science for a year at the Mexico Academy.

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