A cooper by trade, he operated one of the first ferries across the Willamette River at what was East Portland, Oregon.

[2] He learned the cooper trade, and practiced for several years in Indiana and in Cincinnati, Ohio.

[1] He started a cooper shop in Oregon City and got his barrel-making stock from William Overton, one of the founders of Portland.

[4] It began operations in 1846, and was the first ferry in what became Multnomah County (it was part of Twality District at that time).

[1] Dividing his land into town lots, which he offered to settlers on their own terms, Stephens was said to materially aiding the development of the east side of the river.

[6] James’ father Emmor died in 1846 and was buried on the family land in East Portland.

On April 8, 1854, Barrell’s ship Gazelle exploded and killed his partner and several others, all buried next to Emmor Stephens.