"The Journal-Telephone", Milton Junction, Wisconsin, Thursday, Apr. 29, 1915, p 1. Stephen C. Saunders was born at Alfred, N. Y., January 28, 1833, one of the family of six boys and three girls that grew to maturity in the home of Jesse and Esther Coon Saunders. The only survivors today are Duty Saunders of Gentry, Ark., and Mrs. Eliza [Orcelia] Main of Albion, Wis. The family moved west when Stephen was eight years old. Jesse Saunders left his family in the neighborhood of Milton for a few months while he built a log house on the tract of land which he had bought where the village of Albion now stands. The stream that runs through the village still bears his name, "Saunders Creek." Mr. Saunders next built and operated a store. Then he built a tavern which he conducted for several years. There were only four families in the township when his family became the first settlers of the village, but the store and the tavern were on the old territorial road and there were many travelers. People looking for land were always welcome. As the neighborhood filled up, friends would drop in of an evening and enjoy the pumpkin pies, cheese and other good things made by the capable hands of Mrs. Saunders. In such a pioneer life Stephen grew up and had his full share of its activities. Industry was a settled habit of his life. His father was a great builder and a promoter of good things in the community. In 1843-4 a village school building was erected by voluntary contributions of the Seventh-day Baptists. In 1854 Albion Academy and Normal Institute was built. Jesse Saunders gave a large part of the land used for the campus, Stephen Saunders was then twenty-one. He helped erect the buildings and afterward attended the school. There was sometimes an attendance of three hundred pupils and the influence of this pioneer institution was widely felt. The church worshipped in this building until the church building was erected in 1861. We have reason to bring these facts to the mind of the present generation that we may remember our debt to those who have gone before us. The culture, education and morality of today have not come by chance. "Other men labored and we were entered into their labors." Stephen Saunders drove an ox team, cradled grain, made trips to Milwaukee with wagon loads of grain, and in other ways took part in that early life which to most of us is in the twilight glamour of long ago, but was to him a vivid memory. He was married to Miss Helen [Julia] Lilly January 1, 1857. They have enjoyed a wedded companionship of fifty-eight years. Their first child died in babyhood. Wilmer, George and Mrs. Helen Kelly have been the comfort of his declining years. There are two grandchildren. With the exception of two and a half years spent in Minnesota he lived in Albion until about thirty years ago when he moved to the neighborhood of Milton. For the past twenty years he has lived in this village. He was baptized when thirty years of age by Elder Joshua Clarke and joined the Albion S. D. B. church. His religious life was practical. In the hymn: "So let our lips and lives express The holy Gospel we profess." his emphasis was on the "life." One who has known him since boyhood says, "He was a first class man." His mother was a woman of beautiful spirit and Stephen is said to be much like her. He was friendly and companionable, and, in spite of the extreme deafness which afflicted him in late years, he took much comfort in companionship with others. A neighbor says, "He seems like a father to us. He would often come over to visit, and brought us baskets and baskets of vegetables." He had a quaint humor all his own and a rare smile. When preparing for the Old Folks Day in 1914, the pastor came to ask him the reason he had lived to such an advanced age. He refused to take any credit for the good care he had taken of himself or for habits of industry which he had practiced. He had unexpected answers which would often cause a smile, but out of the conversation valuable suggestions were gleamed. "Steady work is the best thing for a man, if he doesn't overdo. I notice that when a man sells his farm, moves into town, and doesn't do anything, he doesn't last long. I never ran around much nights. Its a good plan for the younger generation to learn from the older ones and not think they know it all." He has been seriously affected by articular rheumatism for many years, but he still managed to be busy at gardening and strawberry raising. One of the berry pickers says, "We used to pick along the row together. He would laugh and say "I can't pick half as many as you can, but I keep at it." I would ask him if his arms did not ache. 'O, some, but what's the use of complaining.' I never heard him find fault." To do one's work bravely and cheerfully, to make those about happier and the world a bit brighter, is a worthy aim for any life. He passed away after an attack of the grip April 24, 1915. Services were conducted at the home April 26, Pastor Randolph's text being John 4-38. The college male quartet sang his two favorite songs: "Hoe Sweet Home" and "Tis I, be not afraid." The burial was in Milton cemetery. A large number of people from out of town were in attendance at the services. L. C. R. "The Milton Junction Telephone", Milton Junction, Wisconsin, Thursday, Mar. 22, 1934, p 1. Mrs. Stephen Saunders died Monday morning, March 19, at her home in Milton. Had she lived until May 30, she would have been 100 years old. Julia Lilly, daughter of Shubel and Nancy Bailey Lilly, was born May 30, 1834, in Oneida county, N. Y. When she was two years old, the family moved to a farm in Steuben county. Her mother died when she was eight years old and four years later her older sister married, leaving the twelve year old Julia to keep house for her father and two brothers. Four years later her father and family came to Wisconsin and settled in Dodge county, near a town called Oak Grove. Her father died two years later and the following year she went to Albion to live with a married sister. On January 1, 1857, she was married to Stephen Saunders of Albion and they spent most of their married life in or around Albion and Milton. Four children were born to them: Luther C., who died at the age of 1 year; Wilmer J., George H., and Mrs. Helen Kelly all of Milton, who survive. Mrs. Saunders was the last of her father's family, two brothers and two sisters having preceded her. Mrs. Saunders joined the Seventh Day Baptist church at Albion in her youth and always kept up her interest in religious and civic affairs until the last two months when failing eyesight kept her from her great pleasure of reading and knitting. Although unable to leave the home for many years, she had a host of friends who visited her frequently and will miss her. The funeral will be held this Thursday, March 22, p.m. at the home of W. J. Saunders, the Rev. Edwin Shaw and Rev. Carroll Hill officiating. Interment will be in the Milton cemetery. The pallbearers will be her sons Wilmer and George, her grandson Jesse and her only nephew Halbert Lilly of Albion. They Came to Milton http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=jonsaunders