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Children of Hanson and Lavina Stevens

Hanson and Lavina’s Trek to Oregon

In the spring of 1852, Hanson and Lavina Stevens and their 7 children, ages 15 months to 12 years old, left an extensive family in Keokuk, Iowa with an ox-drawn wagon and joined the multitude of other Oregon Trail travelers on a 6-month trek. Along with 21 other wagons in the Dickson wagon train, they traveled during the Oregon Trail’s most dangerous migration year ever recorded. The trail was clogged with wagons heading to the gold mines in California, cholera was rampant, forage and water for the oxen was scarce. At Fort Bridger, WY, the Stevens family split from the rest of the train, destined for California, and headed out alone for the “Promised Land,” as described by their friends who already made the trip. Hanson wanted to claim land through the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 and become a farmer. He was eligible for 320 acres if he were a resident in Oregon, over the age of 21 and married. Hanson, Lavina, and, thankfully, all of their children arrived in Silverton, Oregon, in October 1852 with $5 remaining of their savings (the equivalent of about $200 today) . One can only imagine how difficult it must have been for them while getting established in Oregon. 

The immigration of 1852 was retarded all along the way . . The very multitude of people served to make hast [sic] very difficult. Disease and death, too, halted wagon trains for a total of many days, so that by the middle of October fully one half of the immigrants were still east of The Dalles and many of them were wholly or nearly destitute of provisions. The late rains added to their difficulties and their sufferings. 

. . .relief parties were organized, but the provisions dispatched were inadequate and further help was appealed for. . .

 . . .the family arrived in Oregon in October, 1852, and Mr. Stevens secured a donation land claim of 320 acres in sections 17 and 18, in township 6 south and 1 west on which he began the cultivation of the soil as required by the Donation Act, June 15, 1853. . . .

The History of Silverton Country, Robert Horace Down

Details of their preparations and journey and history of the family and their descendants are contained in the Stevens Family History: Hanson and Lavina Stevens (2006). A copy can be found at the Oregon Genealogy Society. The Stevens family contributed to the growth of the territory, and State of Oregon and their descendants are proud to carry the torch into the future. Annual family reunions that began in 1891 continue to this day.