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Lawrence “Lon” Vest Stephens
1890-1897  Lon V. Stephens (Democrat), the eighteenth state treasurer, was born in Boonville, Missouri, on December 1, 1855. He was educated at the
Cooper Institute, Kemper Family School, and attended Washington and Lee University. At various times he occupied the position of financial
agent of Cooper and Morgan counties; was appointed receiver at the Fifth National Bank of St. Louis; served as a telegraph operator, printer and editor, and later served as bookkeeper,
cashier and director of Central National Bank of Boonville. Gov. D. R. Francis appointed Mr. Stephens treasurer on March 12, 1890 to fill
the term of Edward T. Noland. In the next election he was nominated to that office by the Democratic Convention in 1892, and duly elected.
Mr. Stephens served as treasurer until 1896 at a salary of $3,000 a year. He employed three persons in his office and the last two
years he added a stenographer at a salary not to exceed $1,800 for the two-year period. He was elected governor in November 1896 on the
Free Silver platform, and served for one term. During his term as governor the State Fair was created at Sedalia. After serving in public office he engaged in banking
interests in Jefferson City, Boonville and St. Louis. He was married on October 5, 1880 to Miss Maggie Nelson of Boonville.
They had no children. He died in St. Louis on January 10, 1923. |
