STEPHENSON, JOHN (1830-1900) was born at Everton, Liverpool, and brought up on his father's farm in Yorkshire. Educated at Nearfield Academy, near Bawtry, he developed a taste for hunting and field sports. In 1854 he emigrated to Victoria in the Falcon, and tried his luck on the Ballarat fields and at roadmaking contracts. In 1856 he became a stock dealer, making constant expeditions through the Murray, Darling and Lachlan country in search of cattle. When his firm sold out to Shadrach Jones, Stephenson came to Otago with the resident partner (Bird). He became auctioneer to Wright, Robertson and Co. and on the retirement of Robertson took his place in the firm. He was one of the promoters of the meeting called to found the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society (1876) and was its second president. Stephenson had an exceptional knowledge of stock and land matters. He was a pioneer racing owner in Otago and one of the founders of the Otago Jockey Club and the Dunedin Jockey Club (of which he was president in 1875-79 and for many years a steward). In partnership with James Hazlett he bought Taiaroa and Mata in Australia, followed by a long string of horses which they raced with great success. Stephenson died on 9 Aug 1900.

Otago Daily Times, 29 Aug 1900.

Reference: Volume 2, page 168

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