Frank Stewart

As printed in 1909

FRANK STEWART.

Frank Stewart, who has been connected with manufacturing lines since 1900, is now president of the.-Vmerican Pearl Button Company, in which connection he is developing one of the important productive industries of Washington. Constantly watchful of opportunities, he is extending his business along well defined lines of trade and the success which he is now enjoying is well merited. He is one of Washington's native sons and a representative of one of the oldest families of this part of the state. He comes of Virginia ancestry in the paternal line, his grandfather being John Stewart, a native of the Old Dominion, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death.

William G. Stewart, the father, was born in Virginia, was reared to farm life and took up that pursuit as a means of providing for his own support after he attained his majority\. A mental review of the natural resources of the country and the opportunities afforded in different sections led him to the belief that he would have better advantages in Iowa than elsewhere and, coming to this county, he purchased land in Washington township. With characteristic energy he began the development of a farm and in course of time placed three hundred acres of land under a high state of improvement. The fields were richly cultivated and in due course of time brought forth abundant harvests. He married Hannah Patterson, a native of Maryland and the daughter of Charles Patterson, who was born in Scotland and on crossing the Atlantic trxik up his above in Maryland. On driving in Iowa during the pioneer epoch of the history of this state he lived for a time in Burlington, after which he removed to Washington and subsequently to Keokuk county. There he died when nearly ninety years of age His family numbered a son and two daughters: John; Jane, the wife of William Thomas: and Hannah, who became Mrs. Stewart. Mrs. Patterson long survived her husband. William G. Stewart died on the home farm in Washington township in 1864 at the age of forty-four years. Four decades had passed ere his wife passed away, her death occurring in 1905. In early life she was a member of the Methodist church and later she and her husband became members of the United Brethren church. Their good qualities of heart and mind drew to them the friendly regard of all with whom they were associated and they are yet remembered among the valued pioneer residents of this part of the state. Their family included six sons and two daughters: John G.: Charles N.; William S.: Lovina E.. the wife of Fred Giesler. of Muscatine. Iowa; Frank; Lloyd, deceased: Hannah M.. the wife of J. A. (just, of W'washington; and George W.

Frank Stewart was reared in Washington county on the old home farm until he had attained his majority. He early became familiar with the work of the fields and aided more and more largely in the cultivation thereof as his years and strength increased. He was a pupil in the district schcKils and also in the W'washington select school conducted by Professor Wilson, while later he pursued a course in a commercial college at Muscatine, Iowa. He then went into business in that city as a dealer in hats and men's furnishing goods, in which line he continued for eight or nine years, after which he returned to Washington and joined his brother George W. in the conduct of a hardware and implement business which they carried on for twelve or thirteen years. In 1896. however, Mr. Stewart sold his interest to his brother and about 1900 entered the manufacturing lines, making wagon bo.xes and shoveling boards. He is still the treasurer of the Washington Manufacturing Company which turns out those products. In IQ02 he extended his efforts into other fields, establishing a button manufacturing business at Muscatine.

lllSrkU< ( W ASIIlXiri'OX COL'XTY 175 at the same time maintaining his wagon box manufacturing plant in Washington. In if)o8 he established the headquarters of his button manufacturing plant in washington and moved his principal works here. Eighty to one hundred operators are employed in the home factory. They sell their goods to jobbers and manufacturers and the enterprise is today one of the most important productive concerns of the city, its trade constantly increasing because of the excellence of the output and the reliability of the house.

For fifteen years Mr. Stewart has been vice president of the Citizens Saving. Bank of Washington; is a stockholder of the Wayland Savings Bank of Wayland, Iowa; and a member of the firm of Giesler & Company, manufacturers of wagon hardware at Muscatine.

In October, 1877, - Stewart was married in Muscatine, Iowa, to Miss Nettie Washburne, a native of that city and the daughter of David and Anna (Holmes") Washburne. who were natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart now have a daughter, Marian V. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Presbyterian church and presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home.

Mr. Stewart belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office and he has been most loyal to the trust reposed in him. He was a member of the city council for several years and takes a most active interest in matters of public progress. For about six years he served as a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is justly accounted one of the representative business men of this part of the state, recognizing and improving his opportunities and carefully executing well defined and carefully formulated plans. In the legitimate lines of commerce he has won his success and has reached a creditable position in commercial and manufacturing circles.

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.