Charles W. Stevens was born at Cavendish, VT., Nov. 18, 1844, the son of John L. and Sarah M. (Emerson) Stevens. His childhood was spent in Vermont and at Francestown, NH. He came to Nashua with his parents in 1850 and was educated in the Nashua public schools, at the academy at Francestown, and at Bryant & Stratton’s business college in Boston. 

He served his country for a year during the Civil War as Quartermaster Sergeant of Company H, First New Hampshire Cavalry, and since then has given two years as a non-commissioned officer on the staff of the Second Regiment. New Hampshire National Guard, and two years on Gov. Hiram A. Tuttle’s staff as Quartermaster-General.

His working life was that of a stonemason and contractor. He controlled quarries in Nashua and Milford, having formed the Stevens Granite Company at which he was the president and general manager. Many prominent public and private buildings in the state, together with bridges and monuments, attest to his skill and practical knowledge in his chosen line of work. He is a director in the Nashua Building and Loan Association, the Nashua Boot and Shoe Manufacturing company and the board of trade.

Stevens has represented his ward in the Common Council and in the legislature in 1885, and was for five years, a member of the board of education. In 1888 he was chairman of the Republican city committee and he has been several times urged to stand as a candidate for mayor. Gov. David H. Goodell appointed him on the Board of Managers of the Soldiers’ Home at Tilton in 1889, and upon the expiration of his term, he was reappointed by Governor Tuttle. In 1894, he was elected state senator from the twentieth district for 1895 and 1896 and served his constituents with fidelity and credit to himself.

He attended the Pilgrim Congregational church and is involved with several fraternal organizations. He is also a member of the John G. Foster post, G. A. R., on which he served as commander and on several public occasions as chief marshal.

General Stevens was united in marriage on June 29, 1858, with Lizzie Butterfield, daughter of David C. and Mary V (Hemmingway) Butterfield of Nashua. Three sons have been born of their marriage. 

General Charles Webster Stevens died March 26, 1927, and is buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashua, NH

Source: History of the City of Nashua NH, from the Earliest Settlement of Old Dunstable to the Year 1895 by Judge Edward E. Parker / Published by Telegraph Publishing Company 1897

Edited for brevity and clarity and submitted by Gary Ledoux

US Service Personnel Profiles
By Gary Ledoux February 16, 2026