Lawrence "Lon" Vest Stephens (December 1, 1858 – January 10, 1923) was an American politician, newspaper editor, and banker from Missouri.

[1] He was the son of Martha (née Gibson) and Joseph Lafayette Stephens, an attorney, banker, and railroad builder.

[4][10] On March 12, 1890, Governor Francis appointed Stephens as State Treasurer of Missouri, to fill the unexpired term of Edward T.

[1] While State Treasurer, he advocated for bimetallism, contributing money and time to promote the silver standard.

[3] Over the course of two years, he wrote a weekly column, "Silver Nuggets," for his Boonville Advertiser—however, he stepped down as editor of the newspaper when he became State Treasurer.

[3] After serving as governor, Stephens returned to his banking interests in Boonville, Jefferson City, and St.

[3] He used his knowledge of newspapers to advance his campaign, and that of William Jennings Bryan who running for president at the same time.

[4] While he was governor, he also continued to write articles for the Boonsville Advertiser through an anonymous column called "Sharps and Flats.

[10] Stephens was also engaged in an ongoing military scandal with the Missouri National Guard due to the organization and failed reforms of the regiments within.

One of his notable critics was Colonel Edwin Batdorf of the 1st Missouri who'd engage in debates with Stephens during the Spanish–American War.

[3] Around 1893, they move into Ivy Terrace, a Queen Anne style house on 500 East Capital Avenue in Jefferson City.

[3] He was a donor to Central College in Fayette, Missouri which named the Stephens Scientific Hall in his honor.