Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 5).djvu/712

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STEVENS
STEVENS

remarks regarding tin 1 Christian faith as an insult to the memory of his devout mother, whom he venerated. The degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by the University of Vermont in 1867. Hi- chose to be buried in a private cemetery, ex- plaining in the epitaph that he prepared for his tomb that the public cemeteries were limited In their charter-rules to the white race, and that he preferred to illustrate in his death the principle that he had advocated through his life of "equal- ity of man before his Creator." The tomb is in a 'large lot in Lancaster, which he left as a burial- place for those who cannot afford to pay for their graves. He left a part of his estate to found an orphan asylum in Lancaster, to be open to both white and" colored children. His nephew. Thaddens Morrel. physician, b. in Indianapolis, Ind.. 2!i Aug., 1830; d". there, 8 Nov., 1885, studied medicine at the Indiana central medical college and at Jefferson college, Philadelphia, obtained his degree of M. D. in 1853, and first settled at Fairland. Ind., but removed to Indianapolis. Hav- ing in i le a special study of medical chemistry, he was strongly attached to the idea of state medi- cine, and labored unceasingly until a public board of health was established in Indiana, of which he was the first secretary. He was professor of medi- cal jurisprudence and toxicology in the Indiana medical college and in the College of physicians and surgeons at Indianapolis, edited for some time tin- " Indiana Journal of Medicine," and was after- ward assistant editor of the "Lancet and Observer." published in Cincinnati, Ohio. His publications include brochures on "Expert Testimony." "State I', i Is of Health," and " Automatic Filtration."


STEVENS, Thomas, bicyclist, b. in Great Berk- hamstead, Herts, England, 24 Dec.. 1S55. He was educated at the village school of his native place, and completed his course in 1869. Subsequently he came to the United States, and became an Q- thusiastic bicyclist. He conceived the idea of mak- ing a tour around the world on his wheel, and. starting from San Francisco on 22 April. 1 **!. made his way across thecontinentof America. thence to England, and through Europe to Constantinople, (rhere he crossed to Asia. His progress through several countries in Asia was prohibited by their governments, and at times his advance was very difficult, owing to the hostility of the natives, but ultimately persevering, he reached Japan, whence he went >y steamer to San Francisco, landing <>n 24 Dec., 1886. His experiences were given in a series of letters to a magazine which he ha- since collected in book-form as " Around the World on a Bicycle" (2 vols.. New York. 1887-'8).


STEVENS, Thomas Holdup, naval officer, b. in Charleston, S. C., 22 Feb., 1795; d. in Washing- ton, D. C., 22 Jan., 1841. He lost his parents, whose name was Holdup, in early life, and was adopted by a citizen of Charleston, who procured for him a midshipman's warrant in 1809. In the beginning of the war of 1812 he volunteered for service on the lakes, was assigned to duty under ('apt. Samuel Anirns on the Niagara frontier, and took part in a night attack on the enemy's works Apposite Black Rock, preparatory to the contem- plated descent of Gen. Alexander Smythe on the I'anada shore. He was one of the leaders of a cletaelmient that captured the enemy's artillery, and of a scaling-party that dislodged the British grenadiers by burning their barracks, and, although wounded in the right hand by a canister shot, re- mained after the naval force had retreated, and. with two other midshipmen and five seamen, i Niagara river at great risk in a leaky canoe. For his bravery in this action he was made a lieu- tenant, 24 July, 1813, while he was with Com. Oliver H. Perry at Erie. Pa., assisting in the build- ing and equipment of the lake squadron. In the battle of Lake Erie he commanded the sloop "Trippe," and fought against the rear of the ene- my's line, passing ahead of the "Tigress" and " Porcupine," pouring grape and canister into the "Queen Charlotte" until she struck her colors, and, with Stephen Champlin, chasing and bringing back two of the enemy's vessels when they tried to escape. For these achievements he was v. >ted a sil- ver medal by congress, and presented with a sword by the citizens of Charleston. He was ordered in 1814 to the frigate " Java," which Com. Perry was fitting out for a cruise in the Mediterranean. In 1815, by legislative enactment, he changed his name to Stevens, which was that of his early benefactor. In 1819-'20 he was attached to the frigate "Constellation." He performed valuable service in the cruise of Com. David Porter for the suppression of piracy in the West Indies, commanding successively the " Asp," the Jackal," and the schooner " Shark." of the Mosquito fleet, being promoted master-commandant on 3 March, 1825. His last command afloat was the "Onta- rio " sloop, which was attached to Com. James Bid- die's Mediterranean squadron in 1830-'2. He was made a captain, at that time the highest rank in the service, on 27 Jan., 1836, and commanded the navy-yard and station at Washington until his death. His son, Thomas Holdup, naval officer, b. in Middletown. Conn., 27 May, 1819 ; d. in Kock- ville. Md., 15 May, 1896. was appointed a midship- man, served as aide to President Tyler in 1842, re- ceived his commission as lieutenant in 1849, and in 1S52-V) commanded the schooner " Ewing " in sur- veys of the California and Oregon coasts. When the civil war be- gan he applied for duty at the front. was orderci 1 to cpmmandtlie-i n. tawa," one of the ninety -day gun- boats then build- ing, raised a eivw of volunteers at Erie, Pa., and joined the South Atlantic block- ading squadron of Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont. While command- ing a division of gun-boats, he drove the fleet of Com. Josiah Tat- nall under the

protection of the

forts at Port Royal, 4 Nov.. 1861. In the battle of Port Royal he engaged Fort Walker at short ratine. On 1 Jan.. 1862, he had an engagement with Com. Tatnall's Mosquito fleet in Savannah river. His command was the leading vessel in a combined attack of the navy ami land forces on Fort Clinch. 3 March, 1802. and in the capture of the town of St. Mary's. Ga.. and commanded the first expedition up St. John's river, oeenp} jni, r Mayport, Jacksonville, Magnolia, and Palatkaand Fort Meeleand Fort Fin negan . an 1 1 capturing the yacht -- in.-rica." He left "the South Atlantic Moekadhi",' squadron early in May. IMrj. to take command of the steamer Maratanza." was present