In 1888, Stephenson was elected as a Republican from Michigan's 12th congressional district to the Fifty-first and to the three succeeding Congresses serving from March 4,1889 to March 3,1897 in the U.S. House.
In 1888, Stephenson was elected as a Republican from Michigan's 11th congressional district to the Fifty-first and Fifty-second Congresses. In all, he served from March 4,1889 to March 3,1897 in the U.S. House.