Joseph Milus Stevenson was the third of twelve known children of Robert Montgomery Young Stevenson (1772-1835) and Maria Rebecca (went by Rebecca) Steel Stevenson (1775-1839). Joseph was born near Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina. His grandfather William "Little Gabriel" Stevenson (1725-1809) had donated land to found the city.

Robert and Maria Steele Stevenson are buried at a presently unmarked graves in fields near Keener's Station, Butler County, Missouri. The Robert Stevenson family was known to live in Lincoln County, North Carolina in 1797 and they are thought to have moved west in about 1806 and settled first in Christian County, Kentucky, where a number of relatives lived. From there Robert took a trip to Missouri and then took his family there, arriving on 30 Nov 1807 at Caledonia, present-day Washington County, Missouri. Robert was active in the Presbyterian Church, was a farmer, teacher, and a member of the Missouri state legislature. He moved to present day Butler County in 1830 where he and his wife died. Maria was the daughter of Capt. Mortimer Steele who died 1810 in North Carolina.

At this time not much is known about Joseph Milus Stevenson. He worked as a smelter in the Potosi, Washington County region of Missouri for a period and was listed as a surveyor on the 1850 and 1860 Missouri Federal censuses. In 1850 he was listed in Shannon County, Missouri probably in the area that became Dent County when it was formed. At the time of the 1860 census the family was living near Salem, Franklin Township, Page 815, Dent County Missouri with the children Robert, John (probably step-son John Parker), Henry, Joseph, Cynthia (step-daughter Cynthia Parker), James (step-son James Parker), Emily, Charles, David, Mary and Margarert.

Joseph was well educated and served a term as a Missouri State Senator in 1835-1837. His detailed Civil War records are available from me. Joseph enlisted on 25 Jan 1862 at Middlebrook, Iron County, Missouri in Company B, 12th Missouri State Militia (Calvary), led by Capt. William J. Leeper. Joseph's sons, Robert, Henry and Joseph; as well as his step-sons John and James Parker, also fought for the Union.

Joseph was sleeping in a tent near Greenville, Wayne County, Missouri when the Confederates made a night raid on the Union camp. Joseph was shot in the head as he slept and lived two days. His nephew, Henry H. Stevenson (son of John Miles Stevenson) was fighting for the Confederates and was captured in the battle (known as the Head Cracker Raid). Henry nursed his uncle until he died.

Joseph's grave site has marker that only says J.M.S. (grave #4, Section #46). He was originally buried at Tipton, Monteau County, Missouri but his remains were transferred years later to the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks.

Joseph first married Emily B. Montgomery (on 13 Jan 1839 at Madison County, Missouri), who died c1844-1848. Emily was the daughter of Robinson Montgomery (who died 1842 at Madison County, Missouri) and Elizabeth Kenney Montgomery (who died before 1842). Joseph and Emily had four known children: 1) Robert Montgomery Stevenson (1840-1901); 2) Rebeca Anna Stevenson Matthews (1841-1929); 3) Henry Clay Stevenson (1842-1897) and 4) Joseph Alexander Stevenson (1843-1934).

Joseph secondly married the widow Catherine Cox Parker (1821-1899) on 03 Jan 1849 at Carroll Township, Reynolds County, Missouri. She was the widow of Agrippa Parker, by whom she had three children: 5) John Parker (1841-1923); 6) Cynthia Ann Parker Amsden (1844-1874); and 7) James Richard Parker (1846-1911).

Joseph and Catherine had an additional five children: 8) Emily Stevenson Pennington (1849-1869); 9) Charles Lee Stevenson *1851-1936); 10) David Henderson Stevenson (1853-1931); 11) Mary Jane Stevenson King (1856-1939) and 12) Margaret Louise Stevenson Jones (1858-1948).