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Stephen was born in 1811 in Senica Co., NY, one of the eleven children born to Seth and Julia (Smith) Mapes. He married Margaret Bright of Ohio, and they moved part of their large family to Wisconsin in the mid-1850's, settling in Door County. He died in Marinette, WI in 1890.
The following is from "Old Peninsula Days" by Hjalmar Holand, page 185: "As an example (of illusionary optimism) may be mentioned Stephen Mapes. From Sheboygan he came full of hope moving all his earthly possessions, including fourteen children, for two hundred miles through the timber on a two-wheeled cart drawn by two oxen. When he came to Sturgeon Bay there was neither bridge nor ferry. But he made a raft and managed to get the oxen and all on board. With his wife standing in front of the oxen feeding them corn to keep them quiet so that none of the fourteen children would be spilled out, he paddled them across to the promised land where riches and happiness were soon expected, but which, alas, were never realized."
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