Darlene, This is very odd. My father and his father were both named Joseph Earl Stevens, but they are not your guy - different birth years by wide margins, as well as locations. However, the identical names suggest their might be some connection, perhaps farther back, and since I can't go back any further than my 2nd ggf Alfred Stevens born about 1810, if you make any further progress, on your Joseph Earl, I'd like to know. Best of luck, Bruce Stevens