JOSEPH HENRY STEPHENS was born in Bedford Co., TN, the 4th of 10 children born to John Patton Stephens and Rhoda Catherine Bramblett.

His grandparents were:
Daniel Stephens and his 1st wife Nancy Couch
(Daniel was married 4 times and had 21 children, he was the 1st Mayor of Wartrace)

Rev. John Alvin Bramblett, Sr. and Jane Couch
(John was a Primitive Baptist preacher)
(Joseph's grandmothers were niece and aunt))

As a child, Joseph was a resident of Haley, Bedford Co., TN, where his mother's family resided and his father farmed.. Joseph was raised in the Primitive Baptist Church.

Joseph married Mary Frances Landis March 13, 1884 in Franklin Co. TN, where her family maintained a 2nd home. Frances was the daughter of Harmon Henry Landess and Susan Caroline Campbell. Joseph is buried next to his father-in-law Harmon Landess in this Cemetery.

After his marriage, Joseph moved his family to Nashville, Davidson Co., TN. He was a Conductor for the NC & St. L Railroad.

Joseph and Frances had 3 children: Guy Clonon, Grace Bramblett, and James Davis. Click on the Links to his wife Frances, daughter Grace, and youngest son James to see photos.

Oldest son, Guy Clonon Stephens, does not have a Link to his grave. Guy was born March 25, 1885 in Wartrace. As a young man Guy moved to Montana where he was a rancher and realtor. Guy died, Feb 5, 1943, in McCone Co., Montana, he was childless.

Four months before Joseph died, his father was killed while leaning against his mantle when lightening came down his chimney and struck him. After Joseph's early death at the age of 45, his wife Frances remarried to James L. Baxter.

Joseph only had one grandchild, Mary Frances Eddins, a Nashville Radio personality, known as Fanny Hill. Joseph's descendants have no photos of him.