For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 270
ALEXANDER STEWART. Alexander Stewart, who has lived retired at West Liberty since 1906, was successfully engaged in farming throughout his active business career and is still the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Lincoln township, Johnson county. His birth occurred in New Yory city on the 9th of September, 1855, his parents being John and Sarah ( Dunham ) Stewart, the former a native of Belfast, Ireland, and the latter of the Empire state. The family came to Iowa in 1856, locating in Iowa City and there the parents continued to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. John Stewart passed away in April, 1882, while his wife was called to her final rest in September, 1886. Unto them were born nine children, six of whom reached years of maturity.Alexander Stewart supplemented his preliminary education by a high course and remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He first secured employment as a farm hand and by dint of close economy accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a team. He then devoted his attention to the operation of a rented farm until his capital was such that he could invest in land of his own, coming into the possession of a tract of eighty acres in Lincoln township, Johnson county, by making a small cash payment. Working earnestly and persistently, he was eventually enabled to discharge his entire indebtedness and as his financial resources increased he purchased an adjoining tract of eighty acres. Subsequently he extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, so that his holdings now embrace three hundred and twenty acres of highly cultivated land in Lincoln township, Johnson county. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he made a specialty of raising hogs and horses, finding both branches of business congenial as well as profitable. In 1906, having accumulated a handsome competence, he put aside the active work of the fields and purchased a fine residence at West Liberty, where he has since lived retired. He has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man, for he started out in life empty handed and has since worked his way steadily upward by dint of indefatigable industry and untiring energy. Much of his success he attributes to the assistance of his estimable wife, who has proven herself indeed a helpmate. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are now enjoying the fruits of their former toil in well earned ease, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In the spring of 1877 Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Aylworth, who was born in Ohio on the 11th of September, 1857, her parents being William E. and Lucy ( North ) Aylworth, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Aylworth began their domestic life in the latter state, locating on a tract of land entirely covered with timber, which had to be cleared off before the work of farming could be begun. The father of Mrs. Stewart erected a log cabin characteristic of those pioneer times---a rude little structure with a clapboard roof and a floor and door of puncheons. He improved his farm and continued to reside in Auglaize county, Ohio, until 1865, when he took up his abode on a farm in Johnson county, Iowa. His demise occurred at Lone Tree, in December 1891, while his wife passed away in Muscatine county in April, 1910, being at that time ninety years of age. Mrs. Stewart, who was one of a family of four children, enjoyed the advantages of a high school education. By her marriage she has become the mother of one daughter, Teresa M., whose birth occurred on the 1st of May, 1880, and who is also a high school graduate and followed the profession of teaching in Johnson county for three years. She likewise pursued a musical course. She gave her hand in marriage to Wilbur M. Wilson and now resides in Chicago, her husband being a draftsman in the employ of the Illinois Steel Company there. Mr. Wilson is a graduate of the Iowa State College at Ames, Iowa and also a graduate in mechanical engineering at Cornell University of New York. Our subject has one granddaughter, Grace Wilson.
Mr. Stewart is a republican in politics. His religious faith is indicated by his membership the Methodist Protestant church, to which his wife also belongs. They have a host of friends that is constantly increasing as the circle of their acquaintance broadens and all who know them speak of them in terms of warm regard.
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