J.M. Stewart

STEWART, MASON

Posted By: Robert Hansen (email)
Date: 10/9/2012 at 12:03:35

From “Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa” published 1887

J.M. Stewart, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 19, Oregon Township, where he owns 240 acres of land, under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Beaver County, Pa, Feb 5, 1818, and is the son of Archibald and Sarah (Robinson) Stewart, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and the latter of German and Irish descent. They lived in Pennsylvania until 1835, at which time they moved to Indiana, where they remained until 1857, and then came to Louisa County, Iowa, where the former died in 1859, aged seventy-five, and the latter in 1864, at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of eleven children, none of whom lived to be adults, and seven of whom are still living.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and has followed that occupation thus far through life. He was married in Dearborn County, Ind, Nov 20, 1838, to Susanna Mason, daughter of Daniel and Mary Mason, both of whom were of German descent. She was born April 18, 1819. They have ten children, none of whom are living: Sarah is the wife of Thomas Marr, and the mother of three children-William, Jesse and Mary; Archibald married Nancy Pratt, who died, leaving one child, Della, who lives with her grandparents; Amos married Armeda Stickly, and has five children-Seymour, George, Charles, Fannie and Lula; Martin resides at home; John married Nola Owen, by whom he has had four children-Guy, Frank, Blanchard and Percy; Mary, now the wife of Amos Poland, has two children-Bettie and Belle; Frank married Clara Walker and has one child living, Clarence; James married Della Colthurst, and has one child, Mary; Belle, the wife of William Trotter, has three children-Lettie, Leonard and James. Mrs. Stewart’s parents died in Indiana.

In October, 1853, Mr. Stewart came with his family to Washington County, Iowa, and located upon his present farm, which was then wild Government land. This farm he improved and continued to cultivate until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Jackson, the siege of Vicksburg, the Atlanta campaign, the battle of Lookout Mountain, with Sherman in his famous march to the sea, and in many minor engagements. He was mustered out at Washington, D.C., June 6, 1865. Two of his sons also enlisted in the army, Archibald in Co. D, 9th Iowa Vol. Cav., serving nearly three years, and Amos in the 4th Iowa Cavalry, serving nearly two years. During the absence of her husband and sons, who were engaged in fighting for the Union, Mrs. Stewart, with her younger children, carried on the farm in a most successful manner. For this she deserves great praise; but to such as her we are indebted for the restoration of the union, they not only being willing to make the sacrifices necessary, but willing to take upon themselves as great burdens as were borne y the soldiers in the field. When the final record is written, it will be said of her as one of old, “She hath done what she could.”

As was common to the early settlers of this county, Mr. Stewart came here in limited circumstances, and as stated, entered land from the Government, which he purchased at the Government price per acre. This land has been improved to such an extent that the farm is now considered one of the best in Oregon Township. On the premises is a fine residence, good out-buildings, and everything betokens thrift and enterprise. For thirty-four years Mr. Stewart has been a resident of Washington County. In the changes that have been made he has borne his part honorably and well, and as old age comes on, he can safely leave the hard work to others while enjoying the fruits of a life of industry. In politics, he is a Republican; religiously, a Baptist. During his entire life he has steered clear of courts, never having had a lawsuit.