The Stewart Families of Lee County, Iowa

REV. GEORGE D. STEWART, D. D.

Rev. George D. Stewart, D. D., who for fifty-five years devoted his life to the Christian ministry the greater part of this time living spent in promoting the work of the Presbyterian church in Iowa, resigned on the ist of JanuarA 1904. his pastorate in Fort Madison after twenty-seven years' connection therewith and is now living in the enjoyment of a rest well-merited. However, his life, growing broader spiritually and mentally year by year, still gives out of its rich stores, wisdom and experience, and his counsel is yet sought by many. His influence has long been a potent power for good in Iowa, and will continue after he has passed away for- "Our echoes roll from soul to soul, and grow forever and forever."

Rev. Dr. Stewart is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred at Jenkintown. near Philadelphia, in Montgomery county, on the 30th of December. 1824. His boyhood was spent there and his early education was obtained in the Abington Friends' school. Subsequently he entered the Lawrenceville Classical and Commercial High School, of New'Jersey, completing his course in that institution in September. 1842, and

KEV. GEORGE 1). STEWART is now one of the oldest living graduates of that famous institution of learning. He is likewise a graduate of Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania, of the class of 1845, and his literary training was supplemented by preparation for the ministry as a student in Princeton Theological Seminary, where he completed his studies in April, 184Q. The previous year he had been licensed to preach and on leaving the seminary he immediately entered upon the active work of the ministry his first charge being a missionary field at Conquest, Cayuga county, New York, October, 1849, Avhere he remained for two years. While there, in April, 1850, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Steuben, Synod of Western New York, at Port Byron. He then accepted a call from the First Presbyterian church of Bath, New York, where he labored as pastor of that church for eight years.

In the fall of 1859, Rev. Dr. Stewart came to Iowa to seek a drier climate for throat trouble, accepting the charge of the missionary ciraiit comprising West Point. Sharon, Pilot Grove, Primrose, Dover and Franklin in Lee county, Iowa. He continued that work for four and a half years. The minister, whose pastoral duties are now confined within a small circuit owing to the condensed population of our towns and cities, little realizes the arduous labors that devolve upon the pioneer minister, who braved the storms of winter and the hot summer's sun in order to carry the message of salvation into frontier districts, to proclaim the glad tidings of great joy in pioneer homes or to speak words of consolation and sympathy at the death bed. With marked consecration to his chosen field of labor, putting forth every effort in his power to bring the world into harmony with divine teachings and principles, Dr. Stewart rode for miles on horseback over a country where homes were widely scattered and where the journey was ofttimes fraught with danger as well as discomfort. His visits were eagerly welcomed and to this day his name is lovingly spoken in mrmv a hnvisehoid, which he visited in pioneer times.

His next charge was the First Presbyterian church at Burlington, Iowa, where he remained for six and a half years, meeting with marked success and then accepted a call from the First Presbyterian church at Omaha, Nebraska, where he labored for a similar period, trembling the church membership. In June, iHjj, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by Hanover College, Indiana. In 1877 '* ' called to the pastorate of the Union Presbyterian church at Fort Madison, Iowa, entering on his duties on the ist of April, of that year, and remained as pastor until January I, 1904, when after a continuous service of twenty-seven years he resigned and is now leading a retired life. Fifty-five years he has given to the work of the ministry and his labors have not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath. Every church with which he was connected made substantial progress, growing in spiritual growth and extending the various church activities. Under his pastorate the present house of worship at West Point was erected and the church edifice at Fort Madison was also built. Another material evidence of his labors is shown in the cemetery and church grounds at Sliaron. The land was purchased through his instrumentality and the church located there. Upon the cemetery a large sum of money has been expended, amounting probably to about $85,000 the gift of the Seeley family according to the expressed wish of the youngest son and brother, George Seeley-, and although this is a country cemetery the cities of the state can display no more beautiful resting place for the dead. The church at Primrose is also the result of the labors of Dr. Stewart, the First Presbyterian minister who preached there. Under his careful guidance and consecrated labors his congregations have developed a spiritual strength that has been a most potent element for good in the various communities mentioned. At length after more than a half century's active connection with the ministry, of which forty-five years have been passed in Iowa, and Nebraska, Rev. Dr. Stewart was honorably retired by his presbytery, at his own request. He still officiated occasionally, however, in the pulpit and at funerals and at weddings in response to the demands of those who have come to love him and desire his ministerial services on these sacred occasions.

Dr. Stewart was married in Fort Madison, Iowa, October 4, 1864, to Miss Emily Stewart Walker, the eldest daughter of Dr. J. C. Walker, one of the pioneers of this city who came to Lee county in 1836. Their union was blessed with one son and three daughters: George B., who is a practicing attorney of Fort Madison; Helen Walker, who died at Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of five years, her remains being interred in the city cemetery at Fort

Madison; Anna residing with her parents in this city; and Miriam, now the wife of T. P. Hollowell. Jr., of Fort Madison. Mrs. Stewart's parents, grandmother and great-grandfather were pioneers of Lee county, coming to Lee county. May, 1834. The maternal grandmother of Mrs. Stewart was Mrs. Emily Stewart, widow of Dr. Abram Stewart, who was assistant surgeon in the Lnited States army, and was stationed at JefiLerson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, as early as 1809. He resigned his position in the army to enter upon the private practice of medicine in and near St. Louis, making his home at Florissant, a suburb of that city. There upon the 20th of January. 1820, Martha Maria Stewart, the mother of Mrs. George D. Stewart, was born. Dr. Joel Calvin Walker. the father of Mrs. George D. Stewart, was born in.Springfield. Ohio. February 7. 1812, his parents having removed to that city from Rockbridge county. Virginia. He studied medicine in Circleville. Ohio, and afterward attended lectures in Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia. For a number of years he practiced his chosen profession and then retired. He held a number of the leading local offices in Lee county. Iowa, and was a prominent and influential citizen here, making his home in Fort Madison until 1888, when he passed away at the age of seventy-six years. His widow still resides in Fort Madison. The Union Presbyterian church of Fort Madison was organized in 1838 with a charter membership of seventeen and seven of this number were members of the Walker and Stewart families. Mrs. George D. Stewart was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, and acquired her early education in the private schools and public schools of Fort Madison, and in Denmark Academy, in Lee county, the oldest incorporated educational institution of the state. She afterward attended for three years, the Female Seminary at Steubeinille. Ohio, where she was graduated with the class of 1860. She has been a most able, helpful and sympathetic assistant to her husband in all of his work and throughout Lee county the names of Dr. and Mrs. George D. Stewart are revered. Nature bestowed upon them many of her rare gifts. They possess minds of broad compass and industry that have brought forth and developed the talents which they received. Their humanitarian spirit and kindly sympathy have been continually manifest ill their relations to their fellowmen and have made them honored and respected wherever they have gone.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Stewart's companionship, a journey over the Atlantic ocean of 15,000 miles and which will take them from the center of this continent to visit the shores of Europe, Asia and Africa.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE B. STEWART.

George B. Stewart, a law graduate of the University of Michigan of the class of 1888, has since engaged continuously in practice in Fort Madison and ranks with the eminent members of the profession in eastern Iowa, for his knowledge of legal principles is comprehensive and exact and he is seldom, if ever, at fault in their application.

Mr. Stewart was born June 16, 1865, a son of the Rev. George D. and Emily (Walker) Stewart, the latter a daughter of Dr. Joel

C. Walker, one of the honored pioneer residents of Fort Madison, who arrived in this city in 1835. He became active in holding public thought and action here and left the impress of his individuality upon the history of both city and state. He was chosen a delegate to the republican national convention in 1860 which nominated Abraham Lincoln, and during Lincoln's administration he was appointed revenue collector at Burlington, but continued to make his home in Fort iSLidison, of which city he was the first graduate physician. He also served as one of the early mayors of Fort Madison and was clerk of the court in territorial days. He lived in Fort Madison when Iowa was part of Michigan and later of Wisconsin. He lived to witness the organization of the territorial government and later the admission of the state into the Union. He was a native of Ohio and was a graduate of the Jefiferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He ranked with the most efficient representatives of the medical profession in his day, and his life was in many respects one of great service and usefulness to his community. The Stewart family is of Scotch descent, was founded in America in colonial days and was represented in the Revolutionary war.,

Rev. George D. Stewart, father of George B. Stewart, was born in Pennsylvania and became a minister of the Presbyterian church. In 1859 he removed westward to Iowa, settling at West Point, and at different times he had pastorates in Burlington and in Omaha. In 1877 he came to Fort Madison and was pastor of the Presbyterian church of this city for twenty-seven years, or for a longer period than any other minister who has served in this county. His influence was far-reaching and beneficial, for he was not denied the full harvest nor the aftermath of his labors. He was earnest and logical, was a man of broad sympathy and kindly spirit and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. He died in the year 1910 and is still survived by his widow. In their family were four children, of whom three were daughters.

George B. Stewart, the only son, has been a lifelong resident of this state and its public-school system afforded him his early educational opportunities. He afterward continued his studies in Lake Forest, Illinois, and pursued his more classical course in the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. For the study of law he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and completed his course there with the class of 1888. Immediately afterward he came to Fort Madison and entered into partnership with S. M. Casey, with whom he remained in continuous connection until the death of his partner in 1903. Since that time Mr. Stewart has practiced alone, maintaining an enviable position as one of the foremost lawyers of the Iowa bar. In 1898 he was appointed assistant United States attorney for his district and filled that position for fourteen years, or until 191 2, when he resigned. He then devoted his entire time to the practice of law and now has a large and distinctively representative clientage. For many years he has been connected with the,most important litigated interests heard in the courts of his district and his ability in handling his cases is evidenced in the court reports, which indicate that he has won many verdict favorable to his clients.

On the 25th of June, 1889, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Adele Kretsinger, of Fort Madison, and they became parents of two sons, but lost one in infancy. The other, Alan K., is in school. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Stewart belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political indorsement is given to the men and measures of the Republican party, but outside of his profession, he has neither sought nor held office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his law practice, in which he has advanced steadily, developing his ability and gaining that prominence which comes only through merit.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE B. STEWART.

George Bourdillon Stewart, a leading attorney of Fort Madison, Iowa, was born in the City of Burlington June 16, 1865, the son of Rev. George Dillon Stewart and Emi! Stewart (Walker) Stewart. When about six years of age he removed with his parents to Omaha, Nebraska, where his father was pastor of the First Presbyterian church. At that place he first entered the public schools, and after his twelfth year continued his education in the public schools of Fort Madison, his father having removed to this city to assume the pastorate of the Union Presbyterian church, a position which he voluntarily resigned January 1, 1904, after a continuous pastorate of twenty-seven years. At the age of fourteen he entered the academy at Denmark, Lee county, the oldest incorporated institution of learning in Iowa, it having received its charter in 1843. After two years in that school he became a student at Lake Forest Academy, near Chicago, and later at Cheltenham Academy, near Philadelphia. In 1882 he matriculated in the University of Pennsylvania, and pursued a course of study until his health failed, in his junior year, and he was compelled to defer all educational projects for about one year. During this time, however, he was not idle, but acted as editor of the Fort Madison Plaindealer, one of the older Republican newspapers of the city.

Having decided to devote his life to the profession of law, Mr. Stewart entered the law school of the University of Michigan in 1886, and was graduated with the class of '88. Immediately after his graduation he associated himself in partnership with Sabert I\I. Casey, and together they continued in the practice of law in this city until the death of Mr. Casey in 1903. At the present time Mr. Stewart occupies a handsome suite of offices in the Lee County Savings Bank building, where he enjoys a large and lucrative general practice. His position in the profession is now one of prominence, and he ranks as one of the better known attorneys of southern Iowa. He acts as attorney for a number of large corporations, among others the Street Railway Company of Fort Madison and the Iowa Farming Tool Company. He was general attorney for the Chicago, Fort Madison & Des Moines Railway Company until the merging of that corporation with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system. In March. 1898, he was appointed by President McKinley as assistant United States Attorney for the Southern Iowa District, a position which he still holds. Necessarily, however, his principal activities are mainly local, and he has been connected in some capacity with all the important and celebrated law cases in Fort madison since he began practice in this city.

On June 25, 1889, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage at Fort Madison to Miss Adele Kretsinger, who is a native of Chicago and the daughter of W. H. and Marie (Ramsdell) Kretsinger. Mr. Kretsinger was a native of Herkimer county and Mrs. Kretsinger of Utica, New York, and they located in Fort Madison in 1870. Mr. Kretsinger was president of the Iowa Farming Tool Company, of this city. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been born one son, Alan Kretsinger Stewart, born in Fort Madison May 11, 1896.

Mr. Stewart is a Republican, and considers that he holds membership in that party by birthright. His maternal grandfather. Joel C. W'alter, was a delegate to the Chicago convention of 1860 which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency of the United States, and received from Mr. Lincoln appointment as collector of internal revenue for the Iowa district, a position which he held until after the accession of President Johnson. Not being i'n sympathy with the policies adopted by the latter, however, he was removed. Mr. Stewart cast his first ballot for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. While he has never aspired to public office, he has served his party a number of times as delegate to various conventions, and is an active and zealous worker in the ranks. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In his religious connection, he was reared in the Presbyterian faith, and became a full communicant in January, 1904. He has intimate connection with the material interests of Fort Madison, both through his profession and by direct financial interest, being a director and stockholder of the Iowa Fanning Tool Company. He is recognized as a man of learning, integrity and great practical ability, and these qualities have won him success and the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

JOHN W. STEWART.

John W. Stewart, who carries on farming and stock-raising on section 5, Pleasant Ridge township, was born August 5, 1867, in a log cabin on the same section. His father, E. M. Stewart, was born in Ohio county, Indiana, in 1824, and when a young man of twenty-three went to the California gold fields by way of the Isthmus. He was one of the earlier gold seekers. He returned to Iowa not much richer than when he went except in experience. He encountered many hardships upon the way and would probably have perished had it not been for the assistance of his brother, Augustus Stewart, who was a physician. Upon his return he settled in Lee county, Iowa, where he purchased land upon which there was a log cabin. This rude structure remained his home for many years and there his family was reared. The cabin was one of the oldest in the county and also one of the last to be torn down. E. M. Stewart met his death in an accident near Fort Madison. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Woods, of Indiana. Their marriage occurred in Muscatine county, Iowa, and to them were born five children, of whom three are yet living, as follows: William, who is a farmer and stock-raiser in Oregon; C. E., a farmer at Whitney, Nebraska; and Mary E., the wife of George A. Childs, of Sunderland, Massachusetts. The two other children died in childhood. His second marriage was with Miss Julia A. Snook, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had live children, as follows: John W., the subject of this review; Julia A., the wife of L. C. Woollen, a farmer residing in Missouri; A.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.