Born on December 10, 1826, Benjamin L. Stephenson was one of the first school teachers in Nicholas County. He moved to Clay County before the Civil War and was a delegate to the first constitutional convention for West Virginia from 1861 to 1863. In 1863, he organized a company of militia and served as captain. Elected to the House of Delegates in 1865, he served until his death on April 7, 1871.