STEWART, JOHN M.

STEWART, HAYES, MCILRATH, ANDERSON, LEWIS, PATTERSON, MOORE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/20/2003 at 18:35:29

Biography reproduced from page 443 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

John M. Stewart has long been numbered among the representative agriculturists and stock-raisers of Lincoln township, where he owns one hundred sixty acres of land, and in connection with the cultivation of his fields is engaged in breeding and raising Chester White hogs. He was born in Cape May county, New Jersey, on the 2d of April, 1844, and is a son of John W. and Phoebe (Hayes) Stewart, likewise natives of New Jersey. The Stewart family was originally of Scotch and Irish extraction, but has long been represented in the United States. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Stewart came west in 1848, settling in Sangamon county, Illinois. Later they removed to Mason City, that state, and there the mother passed away in 1892 and the father in 1897. The father had always followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were the parents of three children: Sarah, deceased; John M., our subject; and Judith.

John M. Stewart was educated in the common schools of Illinois, remaining at home until he was a youth of fifteen. He then began a two years’ apprenticeship at the blacksmith’s trade, which occupation he followed until he enlisted in the Union service at Springfield, Illinois, in 1861, for a term of three months. He went to the front as a member of Company C, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and entered camp at Alton, that state. From there they went to Cairo, Illinois, thence to Mound City, the same state, and then returned home. A year later he enlisted at Mason City in the Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, as a member of Company G, remaining at the front for three years. He participated in the battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro, and later was transferred to the Fourth United States Cavalry, with which he served during the remainder of the war, acting as blacksmith of his company. He was in the second battle of Stone River, his company subsequently going into winter camp at that point. He was next sent out on a scouting expedition, sustaining an injury, from the effects of which he has never entirely recovered. He returned home and was subsequently discharged because of disability.

Mr. Stewart resumed the duties of civil life in Illinois, where he followed his trade until 1871, when he came to Franklin county, Iowa, and began farming. Six years later he removed to Grundy county, this state, where he continued his agricultural pursuits, coming from there to Kossuth county in 1890. Upon his arrival here he bought a quarter of section 15, Lincoln township, on which he made all of the improvements. He met with success in his undertakings and was later able to increase his holdings until he held the title to six hundred and eighty acres. As his physical powers began to lessen with the passing of time he sold off his property until he now owns but one quarter section, to the cultivation and improvement of which he gives his personal attention, doing much of the work himself, despite the fact that he has attained the age of sixty-eight years, his energy and activity putting to shame many a man much his junior.

In Illinois, in 1865, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Nancy McIlrath, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and is a daughter of John and Margaret McIlrath, also natives of the Emerald isle. They emigrated to the United States when Mrs. Stewart was eight years of age, and located in Ogle county, Illinois, residing here until 1868, when they removed to Franklin county, Iowa. They subsequently settled in Grundy county, this state, where the father passed away in 1878, but the mother long survived him, her death occurring in 1900. They were the parents of three daughters: Liza, the wife of Neeley Anderson of Grundy county, Iowa; Mrs. Stewart; and Margaret, who married B. F. Lewis, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mrs. Stewart was educated in the schools of Amboy, Illinois, and remained at home until she was married.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, but only four survive: Emma, who became the wife of W. J. Patterson of Armstrong, Iowa; Frank, who is a resident of Buck Grove, this state; Evelyn, the wife of William Moore, of Germania; and Henry, who is living on a farm adjoining his parents’ home. Those deceased are John and James, the former passing away July 9, 1901, while the latter died October 9, 1902.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the United Brethren church and in his earlier life Mr. Stewart was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. His political allegiance he accords to the democratic party and he has served as trustee and school director in his township. Mr. Stewart’s residence in Kossuth county covers a period of twenty-two years, during which time he has won and retained the regard and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances, as he is a man of upright principles and integrity.