This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: STEVENS, DOUGHERTY, DE LANO Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kFB.2ACE/4183 Message Board Post: To mention the hardware trade of the past or present in Grand Rapids without mentioning the name of Sidney F. Stevens would be scarcely possible, so important has he been for years in the development of this line of industry. Practically his entire career has been devoted to the trade, and at this time he is vice-president of the firm of Foster, Stevens & Company, one of the oldest establishments of Grand Rapids as well as one of the leaders in its field. Mr. Stevens was born as Lynchburg, Va., July 4, 1847, and was seven years of age when he came with his father to Grand Rapids, here securing his education in the public schools. During the first ten years of his business experience he traveled on the road between different points in Michigan and adjoining states, but finally settled permanently at the Furniture City and became identified with the hardware business of which he is now first vice-president, like other vigorous and energetic men of the city he has other interes! ts, and is a director of the Fourth National Bank. In political adherence he is a Republican. Mr. Stevens has not sought personal preferment in the line of public offices, but feels that it is every citizen's duty to accept certain responsibilities, and for five years served very acceptably as a member of the board of police and fire commissioners. He attends Grace Church. Mr. Stevens was married Dec. 21, 1881, to Fredrika, daughter of Frederick and Mary (Dougherty) De Lano, of Rochester, N.Y., and they became the parents of two children – Sidney and De Lano, both deceased.