STEWART, John B.

STEWART, BARTON, MANATREY, GAUMER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/17/2006 at 17:09:58

"Portrait & Biographical Album of Jefferson & Van Buren Counties", pub. 1890, Page 591

JOHN B. STEWART... Sec. 14, Buchanan Township, Jefferson County, born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Aug. 21, 1845. His father, James STEWART, was a native of the Green Isle of Erin, but when a lad of 16 years he bade goodby to the home of his childhood, crossed the broad Atlantic, and began life in the New World. He made a location in Ohio, where he married Miss BARTON, also a native of Ireland, born Feb. 11, 1814, and when 6 years of age accompanied her parents to the Buckeye State. Both families were Protestants. James STEWART was a cabinet-maker by trade, but during his residence in Iowa devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. About 1845 he came to Jefferson County and entered 160 acres of timber land in Cedar Township, after which he returned to Ohio for his family. Some two years later he made a location in this community and, after renting for a year, bought 234 acres of land, now the southern portion of the MANATREY farm.

About 1848 he started to a mill which was situated on the opposite bank of Skunk River. On arriving at the stream he tied his team and took his grist across in a skiff. Everything went well so far, but on his return to the wagon he found that one of the butt chains was gone, and returned to the other bank to get one. Once more he started home, but his family never saw him again. The skiff was afterwards found below the dam with his whip in it, but his fate is unknown. He was a good oarsman, and as it is unlikely that he could have met with an accident, he probably suffered foul play. He was in the prime of life at the time, and his loss to his family and the community was great... His wife, who is still living, is a Methodist. In their family were four children, but two of the number died in early childhood; John B. and Anna M. alone attained to mature years. The daughter is the wife of S. G. GAUMER, of Jefferson County.

John B. STEWART... in his youthful days became acquainted with the hardships and privations of pioneer life, such as fall to the lot of all frontier settlers. He... became the mainstay of the family, especially after the mysterious disappearance of his father. Lived in Cedar Township until 1861, then removed with his mother to Buchanan Township, where they yet reside....

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.