Charles W. Stewart

As printed in 1909

CHARLES W. STEWART.

Charles W. Stewart, a prominent and well known farmer and stock-raiser of Cedar township, was born in an old log cabin that stood on the site now occupied by the Elm Grove cemetery in Washington county, Iowa, his natal day being November 2" 1866. His parents were John G. and Alary L. (Bradford) Stewart. The father, whose birth occurred in Maryland, December 28. 1842. came to Iowa in 1844, locating in Seventy-Six township, Washington county, where he lived for two years on a tract of land which he had entered from the government. On disposing of the property he bought some land that is now included in Vashington township, adjoining the city of W'washington, on which he remained for several years and subsequently purchased what was known as the Clemmons Grove farm in Franklin township, which he cultivated for twenty-one Aears. He w'as quite prominent in public affairs, serving as county treasurer for a period of four years, from 1894 to 1898, as school director for twelve years and as assessor for nine years. He was also a member of the County Fair Association for a number of years and was widely recognized as a most substantial, progressive and public-spirited citizen of the county. His demise, which occurred November 12, 1907, came not only as a deep bereavement to the members of his immediate family but also to the many friends that his upright, honorable dealings had won him. His wife, whose birth occurred in Switzerland county, Indiana, December 22, 1844. was one of a family of four children and in 1846 was brought to Iowa by her parents, who lived to attain the venerable age of eisfhtv-five years. She was called to her final rest on the

286 HISTORY Ul WASI IIXGTUX L'DL'XTV

7th of December, 1901. By her marriage to John G. Stewart she became the mother of two children, namely: Charles W., of this review; and Mary Corinne, the wife of R. G. Cherry, of Wellman, Iowa.

Charles W. Stewart supplemented his preliminary education by a college course and remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. During the succeeding four years he followed farming in Arkansas and on returning to this county he was engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm south of Washington for ten years. On disposing of that property he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 18 and 19, Cedar township, where he has since resided, the place being known as the Cedardale Farm. He makes a specialty of raising Galloway cattle and Suffolk and Belgium horses for breeding purposes, having a number of fine specimens always on hand for sale. He is a good business men. sagacious and far-sighted, and through the careful direction of his efforts is meeting with gratifying success in both his farming and stock-raising interests.

On the nth of February, 1897, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Wagner, whose birth occurred in Washington county, December 19, 1877, her parents being Knight and Rosie E. (Caldwell) Wagner, the former a native of Perrv county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Greene county, Ohio. The father, who was torn November 12. 1845. first made his way to Illinois but subsequently came to this county, both he and his wife still making their home in Marion township. Their family numbered the following children, as follows: Mrs. Stewart: Fred, a resident of Washington county; Howard and Lester, both at home; Eveline, the wife of Roy Davison, of this county; Gertrude M., also at home; and one who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have been born three children: Ella R., whose natal day was November 24. 1899; Nellie Marie, whose birth occurred July 8, 1905; and Lavera L.. born September 21. 1907.

In his political views Mr. Stewart is a republican and is at present serving as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. No. 386. and also with the American Yeomen. Both he and his wife are faithful and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their many excellent traits of heart and mind under them to all with whom they come in contact. Mr. Stewart is a native son of the county and a worth representative of one of its pioneer families. His interest in public affairs is deep and sincere and is manifest in substantial coo)eration which lu has given to ]plans and measures for the public good.

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.