Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
Drs. T. Y. and R. R. Stevenson Biography

Thomas Young and Romeo Roderick Stevenson are specialists and partners in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat at Sioux Falls. They constitute the oldest firm of specialists in their line in the state and their careful diagnosis and expert surgical work have given them statewide and well merited reputation. The brothers are natives of Minnesota. Thomas Young Stevenson was born in Quincy on the 25th of May, 1859, and Romeo R. in Quincy on the 16th of July, 1866. Their parents were Thomas and Jane (Aitken) Stevenson, who were born, reared and married in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Drs. Stevenson display many of the sterling characteristics of their Scotch ancestry—the thoroughness, ability and industry which have ever been strong traits of the Scottish race. The parents sailed for the United States immediately following their marriage and after reaching American shores made their way to Kewanee, Illinois. Two or three years later they moved to Quincy, Minnesota. Mr. Stevenson was employed as hoisting engineer in a coal mine in Scotland but after coming to this country devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. 

Thomas Stevenson was reared under the parental roof and acquired his early education in the public schools. In 1881 he took up the study of medicine, reading under the preceptorship of his brother, Dr. G. A. Stevenson, of Albert Lea, Minnesota. In the fall of the same year he entered the Bennett College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery in Chicago, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1885. In 1896 he attended and was graduated from the Harvey Medical College of Chicago, which institution also conferred upon him the degree of M. D. In 1898 he took a trip abroad and pursued special work in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat in Berlin, Vienna, London and Paris, spending about six months in this manner. Following his graduation from Bennett College, in 1885, he located for practice at Wentworth, South Dakota, where he followed his profession until 1892, when he removed to Sioux Falls and has there since remained. Since his return from Europe he has been engaged in special practice, giving his entire attention to the treatment, of the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which he has attained an enviable reputation and prestige. 

In 1887 Dr. Stevenson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lord, of Wentworth, south Dakota, who passed away in 1911, leaving one son and an adopted daughter. Dr. Stevenson is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to the following organizations: Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M.; Sioux Falls Commandery, K. T.; Sioux Falls Consistory, A. & A. S. R.; and El Riad Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise identified with Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 262, B. P. O. E.; Sioux Falls Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of the Maccabees; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and the Woodmen of the World. 

R. R. Stevenson, like his brother, acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Minnesota and, entering upon the profession of teaching, spent five years as principal of schools, his last position in that connection being at Eyota, Minnesota. After completing a full course of study in the Northwestern University Medical School of Chicago he won his M. D. degree in April, 1894, and in May of the same year located for practice in Sioux Falls. After a short period spent in general medical and surgical practice he began special study in Chicago on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and afterward studied abroad for a year. Since that time he has confined his practice exclusively to the line of his specialty and has supplemented his earlier preparation by frequent trips to Europe for post-graduate work in his chosen line, studying in London, Vienna, Paris, Berlin, Zurich and Christiania. His chief ambition has ever been along the line of his profession that he might attain high rank therein and make his service of the greatest possible benefit to his fellow men. 

In 1905 Dr. R. R. Stevenson was married to Miss Emile Frances Avery, of Chicago, a lady of rare intelligence and culture. Dr. Stevenson is a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Maccabees. He is very public-spirited and eager to support and assist any movement for the betterment of city and state but is absolutely devoid of political aspirations. He has always had unvarying faith in the future of South Dakota, as shown by his large investments in lands in this state. 

After all, proficiency in their specialty has been the only ambition of the Drs. Stevenson, both of whom stand high professionally and otherwise. They are constantly studying along their special line, thus broadening their knowledge and promoting their efficiency, and their opinions concerning diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and their treatment are accepted as authority by members of the medical profession in this part of the country.