Stephen L. Finney, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Stephen L. Finney
STEPHEN L. FINNEY. One of the representative men of Porter county, Stephen L. Finney has long been prominently identified with the mercantile interests of Valparaiso, and as vice president of the Specht, Finney, Skinner Company is actively connected with one of the more prosperous and enterprising business firms of the city. He was born March 11, 1860, in Porter county, Indiana, a son of Charles G. Finney.
Born and brought up near Syracuse, New York, Charles G. Finney as a young man was ambitious to become a landholder, and knowing that in the newer states much greater advantages were offered a man with limited means, he came to Indiana, locating in Porter county at an early day. Locating just east of Valparaiso, he cleared and improved a farm, on which he spent his remaining days, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Elizabeth Bartholomew, who came from Ohio to Porter county when a child, and here resided until her death, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. They were the parents of six children, all of whom grew to years of maturity, as follows: George, Ella, Charles, Lutie, William and Stephen L.
Gleaning his early knowledge of books in the district schools, S. L. Finney subsequently attended the Valparaiso high school two years. When seventeen years old he secured a position as clerk, for six years being in the employ of A. V. Bartholomew. Buying then the interest of Mr. Bartholomew in the business, he was for five years an active member of the firm of Hessler, Specht & Company. Mr. Hessler retiring, the business was continued under the name of Specht & Finney until 1899, when Mr. Skinner was admitted to partnership. The firm name was changed to its present form, Specht, Finney, Skinner Company. Mr. Specht being made president, with Mr. Finney as vice-president, and Mr. Skinner as secretary and treasurer. Mr. Finney has also other interests of value in Valparaiso, by good management and wise judgment having accumulated a competency.
Mr. Finney has been twice married. He married first, October 30, 1884, Eva Stevens, a daughter of James Stevens, and to them four children were born, namely: Nellie, who lived but eight years; two sons that died in infancy; and Martha. Mrs. Eva Finney passed to the higher life in 1902. In 1908 he married for his second wife Mrs. Minnie (Winslow) Maulsby, a daughter of Moses Winslow. For many years Mr. Finney has been officially connected with the Presbyterian church, and is a generous contributor towards its support.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 609
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook