Jackson was born in Morgan County, Alabama on 15 May 1840 to Benjamin and Anna (Maxwell) Stephens. He remained in Alabama until 1854 when he went with his brother Benjamin F. to Hunt County, Texas. In 1858 he moved to Erath County, Texas. He was a member of the Texas Rangers during the war between the states serving under Captain Selma, Captain Whiteside, and Captain Lloyd. His units were assigned to controlling the Indians in the area at that time. After the war Jackson came home to Erath County to begin his cattle business. He met Olive Wilkins the daughter of George W. and Melvina (Jackson) Wilkins while her parents were residing in Erath County (1859-1865). In 1865 the Wilkins family moved to Hunt County, Texas. In 1866 Jackson went to Hunt County and married Olive on 10 January. They immediately returned to Erath County. They were the parents of 11 children - William, Melvina, Mary, Martha, Zoe, Lucy, George, Lillie, Benjamin F., Alice Lonora, and Thomas Van Buren. Jackson was a "stanch" Democrat.

Jackson V B Stevens - United States Census, 1850
Name: Jackson V B Stevens
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1850
Event Place:
Madison, Sevier, Arkansas, United States
Event Place (Original): Madison, Sevier, Arkansas
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Race: White
Birth Year (Estimated): 1838
Birthplace: Alabama
Schedule Type: 1850 Population
House Number: 311
Digital Folder Number: 004191550
Record Number: 17328

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Benjamin Stevens Male 50 North Carolina
Anna J Stevens Female 48 Tennessee
John Stevens Male 23 Alabama
James D Stevens Male 20 Alabama
Benjamin T Stevens Male 18 Alabama
Kizy Stevens Female 14 Alabama
Jackson V B Stevens Male 12 Alabama
Martha Stevens Female 9 Alabama
Lewis M Stevens Male 6 Alabama

J V Stephens - Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977
Name: J V Stephens
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 25 Jan 1866
Event Place: Hunt, Texas, United States
Gender: Male
Spouse's Name: Ollie F Wilkins
Spouse's Titles and Terms: Miss
Spouse's Gender: Female
Page: 157

Jackson Van Stephens -Texas Deaths, 1890-1976
Name: Jackson Van Stephens
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 28 May 1916
Event Place: Stephenville, Erath, Texas, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 76
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 15 May 1840
Birth Year (Estimated): 1840
Birthplace: Morgan, Alabama
Father's Name: Benjamin F Stephens
Mother's Name: Anna Maxwell
Digital Folder Number: 005145440
Record Number: 11722