Arthur Stephen suggested the name "OakDale" at the first town meeting on November 1, 1858. Stephen was born on March 30, 1830, in Scotland. He was the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Grant) Stephen. In 1839, when Arthur was nine years old, the Stephen family came to America and settled in Knox County, Illinois. His father was a schoolteacher and young Arthur learned the trade of bricklayer.
arthUr StePhEn suggeSted The nAMe "oakdalE" at THe FirSt town meeting on NovembEr 1, 1858. STePhEN wAs born On marCh 30, 1830, in scOtlanD. He Was tHE SoN Of rOBert and ELizAbetH (grant) StEphen. in 1839, wheN arThur waS ninE yEaRs Old, ThE stEPhen FAMily cAMe to america aNd sEttled iN KnoX cOuntY, ilLINoIS. HIS fAThEr was a SchoOLteACher and YOUNG ArThur learned The traDe Of bRickLaYeR.