STEWART, William Walter - 1912 Bio (1863-1930)

STEWART, RIGHT, BALL, BARTON, HARSHBARGER, DAVIS, STURGISS, BOWER, SHARP, BRIGGS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/2/2007 at 20:26:24

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 92, and 95-96

William Walter STEWART has been a resident of Round Prairie township, Jefferson county, since his birth which occurred September 2, 1863. When six months of age he was adopted by William W. and Rebecca (RIGHT) STEWART, the former being a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. William W. STEWART, Sr., came to Jefferson county in 1837, accompanying his parents who entered land from the government and thereafter were associated with agricultural interests in this vicinity. At his marriage he received from his father a gift of sixty acres of land which he cleared and improved, adding to this tract by subsequent purchases until he owned in all three hundred and seventy acres. With characteristic energy and industry he improved the land, enhancing its value greatly, and in 1886 retired. He resides with his son, the subject of this review, being still in fair health and good spirits at the advanced age of ninety years. His wife died in January, 1909, having also been granted the heritage of sound health and the enjoyment of a long life.

Before his adoption W. W. STEWART possessed the name of RIGHT, his father being a brother of Mrs. STEWART, his foster mother. Mrs. RIGHT, whose maiden name was Maria BALL, was, like her husband, a native of Kentucky. Coming to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1836 (sic - 1863?), during the progress of the Civil war, Mr. RIGHT enlisted in the army, taking part in Sherman's famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he returned to Jefferson county. He farmed here for a time and on marrying again made his residence in Illinois, where he remained until the death of his wife, in 1886. Thereupon he returned to Iowa and devoted himself to the cultivation of the soil on a farm near Des Moines, where he made his home until 1899.

Tenderly nurtured under the devoted guidance of his foster parents, W. W. STEWART was educated in the schools of Jefferson county and was reared to manhood on the farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with the problems involved in agricultural pursuits. He never left the home place and in 1909 received from William Washington STEWART, Sr., the latter's farm of three hundred and seventy acres. This he has operated with much success and has made many improvements, erecting more commodious buildings and new fences. He is practical in his methods and employs the best machinery, believing that the most modern equipment will produce the best results. To his raising of live stock he devotes especial attention and annually ships about one hundred head of hogs, feeds sixty head of cattle and keeps twenty horses.

On January 5, 1882, Mr. STEWART was united in marriage to Miss Sadie C. BARTON, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (HARSHBARGER) BARTON, natives of Kentucky, the family being of German lineage. Mrs. STEWART's father came to Henry county, Iowa, in the anti-bellum (sic) days and here purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres which he has cultivated uninterruptedly since that time, meeting with much success in his work. His wife passed away in December, 1910. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. STEWART, of whom four died in infancy. The others are: Maude, the wife of John F. DAVIS, residing in Memphis, Missouri; Bessie, the wife of Charles STURGISS, a farmer of Round Prairie township; Minnie, the wife of Walter BOWER, likewise a farmer of Round Prairie township; Elsie, who married John SHARP and resides with her father; Maysel, the wife of Fred BRIGGS, a carpenter by trade, also residing on the home place; and W. Terence, living at home. Mr. STEWART and his family are members of the Free Methodist church of Fairfield, Iowa, being earnest and helpful workers in advancing the interests of their congregation. In his political affiliations he votes with the republicans and has held various offices. At present he is one of the county supervisors and has also served as trustee and clerk of Round Prairie township. He is a man of genial disposition, big hearted and generous toward all, and honorable in every relation in life.

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

Jefferson Biographies maintained by Joey Stark.
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