Old Business Families
by The Stewarts:
Isaac Cahill Stewart
Albert Leslie Stewart
John Elmer Stewart
Isaac Cahill Stewart was born June 1, 1836, in Jackson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, to Robert and Lydia McNees Stewart. He grew up on the family farm and, in the process learned the trades of carpentry and blacksmithing. On May 16, 1861, he enlisted as Corporal-Blacksmith in the 102nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His younger brother Woods Stewart followed by enlisting two days later. Woody was wounded at the Battle of Chickohomini and became a victim of typhoid fever in the hospital. Woody died a few days later and is buried near that battleground. Isaac went on to serve with distinction and was frequently decorated for meritorious service under fire. The 102nd Regiment was a showpiece of "The Army of the Potamac" and saw almost continuous service in some of the bloodiest, most vicious fighting of the Civil War. Isaac Cahill Stewart was promoted to the rank of Captain in June, 1864, at the Battle of Cold Harbor. He was discharged June 25, 1865, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Following the death of his first wife and their son he migrated to Manchester, Iowa, where he met and on February 23, 1871, married Mary Elizabeth Grover.
Mary Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of John and Deborah Denio Grover (see bio on John Grover). The couple moved to Linn County, Iowa, and settled near Coggins and Prairieburg, where Isaac claimed a farm and started a blacksmith shop. They raised a family of ten children before moving to Ocheyedan in 1893.
Their children were: Albert Leslie; B 3, 1871, Mar. Alta Catherine Kirby Dec. 8, 1897, D. Mar. 29, 1953, Bur. Ocheyedan Cemetery. Alice Eola; B. Aug. 11, 1873, Mar. John Mercer Feb. 15, 1898, D. July 19, 1963, Bur. Balmoral, Manitoba, Canada. John Isaac; B. Jan 11, 1875, Mar. 1. Sarah Jane Mercer, 2. Winona Ward, D. Feb. 14, 1961, Bur. Ocheyedan Cemetery. Robert Ira; B. Nov. 1876, Mar. Louena Belle Sherman Feb. 17, 1904, D. June 11, 1946. Charles Guy; B. Jan 10, 1879, Mar. Edna Maude Henderson May 10, 1907, D. Oct. 28, 1956, Bur. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
William Archibald; B. Feb. 22, 1881, Mar. Josephine Yanecek Dec. 20, 1905, D. Jan. 8, 1967, Bur. White Rock, British Columbia, Canada. Serl Grover; B. May 22, 1883, Mar. Minnie Pearl Timmons Jan. 3, 1917, D. Aug. 6, 1968. George Washington; B. Sept. 13, 1885, Sylvia Grace; B. Nov. 7, 1887, Mar. Charles Clark Morton Sept. 12, 1917, D. Feb. 24, 1971, Bur. Ocheyedan Cemetery. Glen LeRoy (Leroy); B. Sept. 18, 1892, Mar. Mabel Francis Hartson June 3, 1919, D. Aug. 3, 1947, Bur. Arlington National Cemetery.
Albert Leslie or Al as he was known to most of his many friends in Osceola County, left the family farm in Prairieburg about 1890, and moved to near Allendorf, where he had a farm plus several business interests. Albert L. was not a farmer although he always owned at least one farm operated by a tennant farmer. Because of his effort to be fair and equitable with his tenants it was often said that "it's almost as good to farm for Al Stewart as it is to have your own place".
He had met Alta Catherine Kirby shortly after his arrival in the Ocheyedan area and on December 8, 1897, they were married.
Early in 1894, Isaac Cahill Stewart followed his oldest son Albert Leslie and moved the rest of his family to the Ocheyedan area, and settled on a farm five miles south of town. Isaac and Mary Elizabeth lived on this farm until his death on January 13, 1898. Their sons Serl and George or Wash as he was known to his friends, operated the farm for their mother for several years but about 1917, the place was turned over to a tenant farmer. Mary Elizabeth lived alone in a small house in Ocheyedan, for about three years, when she was asked by her daughter Sylvia Grace to accept a small apartment in their home. She died in this home October 16, 1928. Isaac C. and Mary Elizabeth are buried in their family plot in the Ocheyedan Cemetery. Jane Grover, the youngest sister of Mary Elizabeth, is also buried in the same plot.
Albert Leslie and Alta Catherine purchased a home in Ocheyedan, where they lived their entire life. Their home is located the first house north of the Doctor Padgham residence. Their son Merle Leslie was born in that home September 15, 1898, and their daughter Leta Catherine was born there February 24, 1901.
Albert Leslie was always a very civic minded person and actively participated in all aspects of city government. He was a very active charter member of the Masonic Lodge of Ocheyedan, and followed the Scottish Rite path to the 32nd, degree. He was also a member of the Shrine and participated actively in all of the affairs. He was very proud to serve in all official positions of both organizations. Al was a devout member of the Methodist Church, although he was not an active participant, he was a very generous member.
In 1898, Albert purchased a farm three miles east of Ocheyedan, and at that time he entered into a tenant agreement with Mr. Stahl. Mr. Stahl and his son John ran that farm until Johnny's retirement in the early 1970's. Mr. Louis Dekkenga is the present operator of the farm now owned by two of Albert and Alta's grandchildren.
In 1903, Albert purchased a livery just north of the main intersection of town on the west side of the street. He applied directly to Henry Ford in person to get the franchise for Ford Motor Company products. Following the contract his sales territory was determined to be the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and as far west as he wanted to go. Early in the 1920's, the original fram livery building was demolished and replaced with a large modern garage. (Could you please verify this date for me, my mother's records are vague on this). Albert continued in business until the late 1930s, and then sold the franchise to the son of a long time friend.
Albert then concentrated on his farm interest and in the pleasures of retirement. He had always been an ardent fisherman, so he frequently visited his daughter's home in northern Minnesota, where he and his grandson concentrated on the fishing. Alta Catherine and Albert both enjoyed travel; however she had experienced a severe physical problem in her earlier years and could not tolerate long trips.
Alta Catherine died June 2, 1947, and was buried in their family plot in the Ocheyedan Cemetery. Albert Leslie died March 29, 1953, and is buried at her side.
Merle Leslie Stewart grew up helping his father in the garage. He enlisted in the army for service in France in World War 1, he served about three years. Following his discharge Merle attended normal school and then returned to the garage with his father. On September 15, 1920, he married Mildred E. Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The couple settled down in a comfortable home on the far east side of Ocheyedan. When his father sold the garage, Merle purchased the DX service station across the street from the post office. He was there until about 1943, when he moved his family to Long Beach, California, where he worked in the war industry. In about 1946, or 1947, he moved the family to Forest Grove, Oregon, where he lived in retirement until his untimely death May 14, 1951. He was buried in the Stewart family plot in the Ocheyedan Cemetery. Mildred died December 10, 1984, and was buried by his side.
Merle's daughter Margaret was born October 27, 1921. She married James Robert Knox and with him had two sons. The family lives in a small town in British Columbia, Canada. Margaret is now deceased.
Leta Catherine Stewart grew up in Ocheyedan, and enjoyed all the pleasures that young ladies of the day were permitted. Following high school she attended Grinnel College, Grinnel, Iowa, and became a teacher. She taught several years at Lake Park, Iowa, and was a substitute teacher at the Ocheyedan school for a few years. She met her husband to be Sidney S. Lanham while teaching with his sister Goldie at Lake Park. The couple married November 23, 1921. Leta continued teaching and Sid attended Barber College in St. Paul, Minnesota. When that training was complete the couple settled down in Ocheyedan, in a little home next to the Methodist church. Leta worked as substitute teacher and Sid practiced his trade as a barber. Their daughter Alice Jean was born June 23, 1923, and their son Phillip Stewart was born January 10, 1927. In June of 1927, the family moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota, where they lived for eight years prior to moving to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. At Grand Rapids, Leta started a unique gift shop concentrating on the local Indian handcraft. Soon the shop grew to include the hand work of all tribes in North America, plus that from the peoples of other lands. Sid and Leta retired from active business in the early 1970s, and traveled extensively enjoying the summers of northern Minnesota, and the winters of Arizona.
Leta passed away June 13, 1983, after a long illness and was buried in the Stewart family plot in Ocheyedan. Sid followed her October 24, 1988, and is buried at her side.
Alice Jean married John W. Haigh and lives in Seattle, Washington, where she now enjoys her three daughters and six grandchildren.
Stewart married Doris Elaine Carlson and is now living in Pueblo, Colorado. They have a son and daughter and six grandchildren.
John Elmer Stewart, a cousin of A L. Stewarts, was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1849. He moved to Manchester, Iowa, with his uncle Isaac Cahill Stewart, where he stayed briefly. He then moved to Prairieburg, Iowa, where he stayed until the late 1870s, or early 1880s, when he went to the Allendorf - Ocheyedan area and filed a claim nearby that of Joseph Harper Kirby.
Very little is known of this man other than to say he was a hardworking farmer, well respected by the community. He died October 6, 1908. He is buried in the Ocheyedan Cemetery.
-Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner