Perry Stewart

As printed in 1902

PERRY M. STEWART.

On the roster of county officials in Clark county is the name of Perry M. Stewart, more familiarly known as Pearl M. Stewart, and public commendation is given him for capability as the county treasurer, for in the exercise of his duties in the office of trust which he so ably fills, his prompt, systematic and thoroughly reliable methods have won recognition. As the family name indicates he comes of Scotch ancestry. He was born in Green township, Clark county, July 6, 1866, and his father, Perry Stewart, was born in the same township, June 6, 1818. The grandfather, John T. Stewart, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and in 1806 came to Clark county, being one of the first settlers in Green township, where he opened up a farm and took an active part in the pioneer development of this portion of the state.

Therefore he has given close at- '

Throughout the first half of the last century hé witnessed the growth and improvement ot Clark county and passed away in the year 1850. In his family were ten children, of whom one daughter died in early childhood. Samuel passed away in 1892, and Mrs. David Anderson died in 1901. The living members/of the family are: Perry, the father of our subject; Elder R., a miller by trade, who makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. L. B. Corry; Charles, who is living retired in Springfield; James M., who served as probate judge for six years and is living in Xenia, Ohio; Thomas E., of Clifton, Ohio; Oscar N., who resides in Plattsburg; and William C., who is now living retired in Springfield. All of the members of the family were reared upon the home farm and only two of them ever turned from agricultural pursuits to enter other branches of life.

Perry Stewart, the father of our subject, pursued his studies in the district schools of his native township and on entering a business career followed the occupation to which he had been reared. He carried on farm work successfully until 1893, when he removed to Springfield, where he is now living retired. He is a well preserved man of eighty-four years and a venerable gentleman, honored and respected by all who know him. Prominent in public affairs his fellow townsmen called him to represent Clark county in the state legislature, where he served during the sessions of 1868 and 1869. For six years he was also county commissioner and was an active party worker, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of Republican principles. He married Rhoda Wheeler, who was born in Clark county December 30, 1824, and is still traveling life's journey with her husband. Their marriage was blessed with ten children, of whom one died at the age of four years, but the other nine are still living, as follows: Harriet, the wife of James Hatfield, who resides near Clifton, Ohio; Julia, the wife of R. N. Elder, living near Selma, Clark county; David W., who was a soldier of the Civil war and is also living in Clark county; John T., an electrician of Greencastle, Indiana; Mary E., who is the widow of Samuel Kerr and makes her home in Washington, D. C.; Charles F., who resides near Pitchin, Clark county; Jane E., the wife of George Nicholson of Springfield; Perry M., of this review; and E. Wheeler, who is living on the home farm. The children were provided with good educational advantages, attending the district schools of Green township and afterward continuing their education in the schools of Antioch and Lebanon. At the time of the Civil war the father manifested his. loyalty to the government by entering the Union army. He and his wife ate faithful members of the Christian church.

Under the parental roof Perry M. Stewart of this review spent the days of his childhood and after acquiring his preliminary education in the district schools pursued an elective course in Antioch Colege. Subsequently he took charge of the home farm, which he managed for a few years, and then for a few years he was employed in a general store in Selma. He was afterward appointed as deputy county auditor, serving from 1893 to 1895 and in 1897 he was appointed deputy county treasurer, acting in that capacity until elected to the office of treasurer in 1901. He has since filled the position and was recently nominated for the second term, a fact which indicates that his has been a capable service and that he has won the confidence and endorsement of the public.

On the 16th of October, 1901, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Irene B. Black, a daughter of Charles R. Black, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Ross county, Ohio. She is a graduate of South Salem Seminary. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to Clark Lodge,

No. 101, F. & A. M.; Springfield Chapter,.

No. 48, R. A. M.; Springfield Council, No. 17, Re 89: Mo and: as: a’ member othe Commercial Club of this city. He has made his home in Springfield since appointed to the position of deputy auditor. In political circles he is prominent, and his convictions carry weight in the local councils of the Republican party. He has frequently served as a delegate to county and congressional conventions and believes most firmly in the ‚party as best calculated to promote the nation's welfare. The Stewart family is an old and prominent one in Clark county, having been established here through almost an The record is creditable, for representatives of the name have ever been honorable and worthy citizens, and the history of Perry M. Stewart, the efficient county treasurer, adds new luster to the honored family name.

entire century.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.