He and his wife came to America in 1849. Some accounts say that they came directly to Utah, but other records state that they stayed in Nauvoo briefly.  Further research is needed to confirm the year of their arrival in Utah and the name of the pioneer company with which they traveled to Utah.  We know that Stephen was here by 1850 because his name appears on the 1850 Utah census, which was taken in the Spring of 1851.

They were divorced in 1852, and on February 1, 1855, Alison purchased property in Salt Lake City from Stephen under the name of "Alison Strong."