Prominent area land developer and merchant J. H. Chancellor (1876-1938) built this residence about 1909 in the center of Smithville's business district, near the railroad depot and several hotels. The house exhibits Classical Revival influences, including a balustrade, stone lintels and sills, and two-story fluted columns, as well as Romanesque influences in its distinctive arched porch detail. It remained the Chancellor residence until 1938. Dr. J. D. Stephens (1890-1972), Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) Railroad surgeon, acquired the property in 1941 and converted part of the ground floor for use as a clinic.