STEWART, John B. - 1890 Bio (1844-1922)

STEWART, BARTON, GAUMER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/28/2007 at 21:09:11

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 591-592

John B. STEWART, a farmer and stock-raiser of Buchanan Township, Jefferson County, residing on section 14, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Aug. 21, 1845 (sic - 1844). The father of our subject, James STEWART, was a native of the Green Isle of Erin, but when a lad of sixteen years he bade good-by 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, who was also a native of Ireland, born Feb. 11, 1814, and when six years of age accompanied her parents to the Buckeye State. Both families, unlike many of their nationality, were Protestants. The father of our subject 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 one hundred and sixty 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 two hundred and thirty-four 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. He was a Whig in politics and a member of the Union Church. 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 spent his early life in the usual manner of farmer lads, and 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 received the greater part of his education in the subscription schools common at that day, and became the mainstay of the family, especially after the mysterious disappearance of his father. Having lived in Cedar Township until 1861, he then removed with his mother to Buchanan Township, where they yet reside. Their home is situated on section 14, and the farm comprises two hundred and seventeen acres, of which one hundred and fifty-seven acres are arable land. More than half of that amount was still in its primitive condition at the time of Mr. STEWART's settlement thereon, but he cleared and broke the wild land, planted crops, and now has one of the best farms in the community. Its well cultivated fields indicate his thrift and industry, and in connection with its cultivation he raises a high grade of all kinds of stock except sheep. Mr. STEWART casts his ballot with the Democratic party, but takes no active part in politics, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. The family of which is now the only male representative, well deserves mention in this volume.

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