Henry Stephens was born in Dublin, Ireland. He made a fortune as a lumberman, merchant and financier. He lived in Lapeer County, Michigan

Lapeer County, Michigan

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 87,904 people, 30,729 households, and 23,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 134 people per square mile . There were 32,732 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile...

 and was one of Almont, Michigan

Almont, Michigan

Almont is a village in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,803 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Almont Township....

's earliest settlers, where he established the first mercantile business. North of Lapeer, Michigan

Lapeer, Michigan

Lapeer is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Lapeer County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,841. Most of the city was incorporated from land that was formerly in Lapeer Township, though portions were also annexed from Mayfield Township and Elba...

, he built a sawmill in 1845. After cutting down and cashing in on those pine forests, he moved to Richfield Township

Richfield Township, Roscommon County, Michigan

Richfield Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 4,139.- Geography :...

, which is in Roscommon County, Michigan

Roscommon County, Michigan

-Local attractions and activities:The community is centered in the area of two very large lakes, in the middle of large state forests. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:...

. He built another mill and founded the village of St. Helen, Michigan

St. Helen, Michigan

St. Helen is an unincorporated community in Richfield Township, Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. The population was 2,993 at the 2000 census...

. He also had a summer home in Romeo

Romeo, Michigan

Romeo is a village in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,721 at the 2000 census. The village is situated at the southeast corner of Bruce Township, with a portion extending south into Washington Township. Armada Township is adjacent to the east and Ray Township to the...

. He could legitimately be characterized as a lumber baron.

• In 1916, Albert Stephens, his youngest son, funded the construction of a library in honor of his father. The following year, a local contractor Al Thayer erected this Georgian Revival building. An addition was erected in 1987. The library is part of the West St. Clair Street National Register Historic District, and is located in Lapeer County
  Lapeer County, Michigan
  -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 87,904 people, 30,729 households, and 23,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 134 people per square mile . There were 32,732 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile...
  
  . It is memorialized by a Michigan historical marker.