Missouri Memories

Margaret Nelson Stephens (1862-1929), Diary

Margaret "Maggie" Nelson was born on August 1, 1862, in Boonville, Missouri. She was educated in Boonville and at Mrs. Reid's finishing school in New York City. On October 5, 1880, she married Lon V. Stephens, who served as governor of Missouri from 1897-1901. As first lady, Margaret had a reputation as a sophisticated, stylish, and graceful hostess who was fond of entertaining and quite active in philanthropic endeavors.

A transcription of the above page is as follows:

July 4, 1877

I was very pleasantly surprised this morning I received a little note from Lon and a box of candy -- he came and spent the day at Tipton and might come up to see me. Told papa all about his Culpeper visit. He just made me go down and get some cream.

This morning I was up to see Floy and Cora. Floy and I went up the street & Jones H__ asked us to walk up to the shooting this evening. He and Mr. Gibson arrived about three and and we waited for the other two Cora and Floy & walked up to the fairgrounds and staid there a while -- Reid got with me & we all walked to the old fair ground to the dutch picnic for a few moments & and then walked home -- Reid made me get out and get some ice cream & it refreshed me very much.

July 5, 1877

Received a little note from Annie Turner about going to the Sulphur Springs in the morning__ Mama & I rode to Mrs. Mitchells & Lon & I took a walk this morning. We are both going to Chartion [sic] Springs tomorrow.