Excerpts: Encyclopedia Brittanica’s biography of J.P. Stevens

• John Stevens’ grandfather, Nathaniel Stevens, started in the textile industry during the War of 1812.
• Nathaniel’s son (John’s uncle) Moses took over the textile company and made it one of the largest in the country.
• His commission house prospered by selling the products of his uncle’s company.
• He also purchased interests in many textile firms in New England and was one of the first textile industrialists to invest heavily in mills in the South.

Source: Brittanica