Hiram Stevens

Hiram Stevens was a businessman and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Arizona's at-large district during the 19th century. A member of the Democratic Party, he held office in the United States House of Representatives from 1875 to 1879. Stevens was notable for his involvement in both business and politics in the Arizona Territory, where he played a significant role in the early governance and development of the region.

Early life and career

Hiram Stevens was born on March 20, 1832, in Weston, Vermont. He grew up in a rural environment, where he received a limited education. By the time of the 1850 census, Stevens was working as a farmer in his hometown. In 1851, he enlisted in the United States Army, joining Company I of the 1st Dragoons. His military service included engagements against Apache forces in the New Mexico Territory, and he completed his three-year term with an honorable discharge while stationed at Fort Thorn.

After leaving the military, Stevens moved to Tucson, Arizona, with a brief stop along the San Pedro River. In Tucson, he initially operated a ranch near Sentinel Peak before transitioning to retail by opening a store in Sacaton in 1858. During this time, he was baptized at a Catholic church in Tucson, adopting the name "Steven Augustus Hiram."

The onset of the American Civil War prompted Stevens to leave Tucson temporarily, but he returned in 1864. Shortly after his return, he was appointed by Governor Goodwin as one of Tucson's councillors on May 11. In 1865, he formed a business partnership with Samuel C. Hughes, with whom he supplied goods to the Mariposa Store. Their partnership extended beyond business, as both men married sisters from the Santa Cruz family, making them brothers-in-law. Stevens and his wife, Petra Santa Cruz, adopted two children, Elisa and Thomas.

From 1866 to 1872, Stevens served as a post trader for Fort Buchanan and Fort Crittenden. However, his operations were curtailed when he was found to have sold alcohol to soldiers illegally. In 1876, he and Hughes established Hughes, Stevens & Company, which engaged in various business ventures, including cattle, mercantile, and mining interests. At the height of his business career, Stevens owned a sheep ranch in Colorado and was considered one of the wealthiest individuals in the Arizona Territory, with an estimated net worth of $150,000.

Stevens's success in business led him to pursue a political career. He held several local offices, including Tucson city treasurer and Pima County tax assessor, and served on the Pima County Board of Supervisors multiple times. In 1868, he was elected to the 5th Arizona Territorial Legislature, representing Pima County in the House of Representatives. The legislature convened in a building owned by Stevens, highlighting his prominence in local affairs. He was subsequently re-elected to the legislature twice more, serving in the council of both the 6th and 7th Arizona Territorial Legislatures.

House tenure

In 1874, following the decision of Richard Cunningham McCormick not to seek re-election as Arizona Territory's delegate to the United States House of Representatives, Stevens entered the race for the position. The Democratic Party held a convention in Phoenix to select their nominee, where Stevens competed against John A. Rush. Initially, Rush was selected as the nominee, but he withdrew from the race. This led to a five-way election in which all candidates ran as Independents. Stevens and Charles T. Hayden represented Democratic interests, while Curtis Coe Bean and John Smith aligned with the Republican Party. The fifth candidate, David G. Beardsley, ran as the "workingman's candidate."

Stevens's campaign was marked by controversy, including allegations that he enlisted local gamblers to support his candidacy by betting on his victory. The election results showed Stevens winning with a total of 1,442 votes, while his closest opponent received 1,076 votes.

Stevens traveled to Washington, D.C., on March 3, 1875, in anticipation of a possible special session of Congress that ultimately did not occur. During his time in Washington, he focused on legislative proposals that included requests for funding to construct a territorial capital and penitentiary, the establishment of a port of entry in Tucson, and improvements to navigation along the Colorado River. One of his successful legislative efforts allowed the territorial legislature to override the Governor's veto with a two-thirds vote, although a proposal to permit the election of the territorial governor was not passed.

He announced his intention to seek a second term on June 21, 1876. His main opponents in the election were Granville H. Oury and William H. Hardy, while Curtis Coe Bean initially planned to run but later withdrew. The election process was contentious, with the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors attempting to disqualify a number of votes for Stevens based on poll tax issues. However, a provision in territorial law required the acceptance of the vote canvas provided by the County Recorder, which ultimately allowed Stevens to secure a plurality of the votes.

Legislative focus and committees

During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Stevens focused on various legislative issues pertinent to the Arizona Territory. His proposals included infrastructure development, such as the construction of a territorial capital and penitentiary, which were essential for the governance and administration of the growing territory. Stevens also advocated for the establishment of a port of entry in Tucson, which would facilitate trade and commerce in the region.

In addition to these initiatives, Stevens worked on improving navigation along the Colorado River, recognizing the importance of transportation and trade routes for the economic development of Arizona. His legislative efforts reflected a commitment to enhancing the territory's infrastructure and governance.

Stevens's time in Congress was marked by a blend of business acumen and political strategy, as he navigated the complexities of territorial politics and sought to advance the interests of his constituents. His involvement in the Arizona Territorial Legislature prior to his congressional service provided him with valuable experience in governance and legislative processes, which he utilized during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives.

After serving two terms, Stevens's congressional career concluded on March 3, 1879. Following his departure from Congress, he continued to be involved in business and local politics until his death on March 22, 1893. His contributions to the early political landscape of Arizona and his role in its development as a territory remain a part of the historical narrative of the region.