Born in Molden, West Virginia in 1877, John Stevenson received his training at Hampton Institute, after which he attended the Commercial College in Boston, graduating in 1904.

The same year he was called to Tuskegee as an accountant under Booker T. Washington. He married Gertrude Wills on September 21, 1909, in Boston.

He organized and served as secretary of the YMCA until 1917, then as government secretary until 1919. He was then called to Beloit by Fairbanks Morse as general supervisor of Edgewater Y, a position he held until his death.

During his tenure he conducted a broad program of activities for Black youths, as well as for adults. He organized a community center where dances were held and the youth of the area could meet. He encouraged children in education and especially promoted music.

In addition to being Secretary of the Edgewater YMCA, Mr. Stevenson was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, secretary leader of the Young People’s Union, a member of the NAACP, the Masonic Lodge, and leader of Boy Scout Troop #6.

He died on February 27, 1930, leaving his wife and a daughter, Ruby.