Stephens, George Erwin Gullett, 1873-1946

George Erwin Gullett Stephens, a native of Summerfield, Guilford County, N.C., and resident of Charlotte and Asheville, N.C., was a journalist and real estate broker. He married Sophie Convere Myers Stephens. Their children were Sophie Myers Stephens (Martin) and George Myers Stephens.

From the description of George Erwin Gullett Stephens papers, 1884-1988. WorldCat record id: 23848697

George Erwin Gullett Stephens was born 8 April 1873 in Summerfield, N.C., to Addison H. and Lydia Lambeth Stephens. He attended the University of North Carolina and was graduated in 1896. He was a noted athlete and is credited with throwing the first forward pass in collegiate football history (UNC vs. Georgia, 26 October 1895). Stephens married Sophie Convere Myers on 9 December 1902. The couple had two children, George Myers Stephens and Sophie Myers Stephens (Martin).

Stephens served as president and joint publisher of the Charlotte Observer ; organizer and president of the American Trust Company, 1901-1918; and joint owner and publisher of the Asheville Citizen . He also served as trustee for the University of North Carolina, 1900-1946. Stephens was involved in the development of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Smoky Mountains National Park, and western North Carolina in general.

Sophie Myers Stephens attended Ashley Hall in Charleston, Va., and Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va. She was elected queen of the 1935 Rhododendron Festival in Asheville, N.C. The following year she married Edward Watts Martin. In 1957, she earned a masters degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

From the guide to the George Erwin Gullett Stephens Papers, 1884-1988, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)