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STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br />Application Number: 2000-0824 <br />Property Location: 521 South St. Joseph <br />Property Owner: Dismas, Inc./Dismas of Michiana <br />Landmark or District Designation: LHD-TF <br />Rating: S/12 <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT <br />Mary and Frank Stephenson bought lot 14 Taylor's Field Addition to South Bend <br />in 1894 for $2,000.00. By 1898 they were living in this two-story Queen Style house. <br />Frank Stephenson was born in South Bend in 1861, son of Amos Stephenson founder of <br />A.T. Stephenson and Sons, a plumbing and well drilling business, which later <br />manufactured wood pumps and woodturnings. The four Stephenson brothers purchased <br />A.C. Staley Manufacturing Company and changed its name to the Stephenson Underwear <br />Mills. Frank Stephenson was the president of the family business until his death in 1929. <br />Mary Cutler -Stephenson was born in Iowa in 1860 and married Frank in 1893. The <br />Stephenson's resided at this address until 1913, after which they used the house as a <br />rental. Mary owned the house until 1938 when she sold it to William Payton and moved <br />to California. <br />William Payton was born in Wabash in 1894 and moved to South.Bend in 1934. <br />He was an orchestra leader for over 20 years, retiring in 1940. William resided in this <br />house with his wife, Della, until 1947 at which time the building was divided into four <br />apartments. Mr. Payton occupied one of the units until his death in 1981. A year later <br />the house was sold to John Freidline. Mr. Freidline rented the apartments out until 1986 <br />when he sold it to Brook House, who in turn sold it to the current owners, Dismas Inc., <br />in 1989. Dismas restored the house and use it as a home for ex -offenders and local <br />college students. <br />