Stephenson was chosen by the "gymnasium convention" as one of the progressive delegates to the Republican national convention along with La Follette and William D. Connor. Although the national convention refused to accept the credentials of the Progressive delegation, the La Follette forces were recognized as the legal Republican ticket by the Wisconsin Supreme Court (1904). In 1901 Stephenson established the Milwaukee Free Press, providing Progressive-Republicans with a metropolitan newspaper, and competition for the Stalwart-controlled Milwaukee Sentinel. In 1907 Stephenson sought the U.S. Senate seat made vacant by the resignation of John C. Spooner and, after a brief deadlock, was elected by the Progressive-controlled state legislature. In 1908 he ran for renomination in the Republican primary, was opposed by La Follette, but despite this opposition won the nomination through the aid of the state chairman of the Republican party William D. Connor and lavish use of his personal wealth, and was re-elected by the legislature in 1909. Although his election was twice blocked by fraud investigations in both the state legislature and the U.S. Senate, Stephenson was eventually vindicated and resumed his seat in the Senate, serving from May 1907, to March 1915. Stephenson holds the distinction of being the oldest elected freshman United States Senator; he was 77 when he took office. Stephenson is the last senator from Wisconsin's Class 3 senate seat to have retired from the senate. Paul Husting, Stephenson's successor, died in office and every senator after Husting was defeated for reelection, either through defeat for renomination or in the general election. Presidential cow In 1909 Stephenson purchased a prized Holstein cow as a gift for the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft. The cow was named Pauline Wayne and she became the last presidential pet cow. Pauline Wayne lived and grazed on the White House lawn. Retirement He published his memoir in 1915 titled Recollections of a Long Life. After returning from Washington in 1915, Stephenson retired to his home in Marinette, where he remained until his death on March 15, 1918. Noted for his local philanthropies in Marinette, a park, street, and memorial library are named in his honor. The town of Stephenson, Wisconsin is also named in his honor. His younger brother, Samuel Merritt Stephenson, served as a U.S. Representative from Michigan. See also List of United States senators born outside the United States References Dictionary of American Biography Wisconsin