STEWART.

GEORGE AND JOSEPH.

Vernon Township.

Joseph Stewart later moved to Maple City.

1901 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

[1870] PAGE 172.

GEORGE AND JOSEPH STEWART. George Stewart, a prominent and influential farmer residing in section 11, Vernon Township, Cowley County, Kansas, was a worthy descendant of one of the pioneer families of the Sunflower State, and contributed his share of work toward making Kansas one of the banner agricultural states of the Union. He was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, in May 1845, a son of Joseph Stewart.

JOSEPH STEWART was born in Pennsylvania July 6, 1817, and died in Winfield, Kansas, August 12, 1895. His father was also born in this country and his ancestors were Scotch. In 1844, Joseph Stewart located in Des Moines County, Iowa, which had but recently been opened to civilization. In 1849 he moved with his family to Springfield, Missouri, and thence went to Pineville, McDonald County, Missouri. There he built the courthouse, and afterward served two years as county clerk. At the expiration of his term, he built a hotel, which he conducted for many months. When the new territory of Kansas was opened, in 1854, he again made his way westward and located on the Big Blue River, a few miles from what is now the city of Manhattan. He remained there until the spring of 1863, when he went further west, to Blackhawk, Colorado, although he retained the homestead in Kansas. While in Colorado, he lost three children: Martha Ellen; Amanda; and an infant. For one a grave was hewn out of solid rock in a spur of the lofty “Rockies,” and the other two were buried nearby. The spot was visited by Mrs. George Stewart, in the summer of 1900, and she found lofty pines swaying over the graves, like sentinels guarding the burial place of those who had been at rest for nearly two score years. Two of Joseph Stewart’s children were buried at Manhattan, and those who attained years of maturity are as follows: George; Jennie, who died in 1881; John; Belle (Wooley); Clay; and Carrie. All who were still living in 1901 were married, and resided in Cowley County.

In 1870 Mr. Joseph Stewart located in Cowley County, near the line of the Vernon and Ninnescah Townships. At one time he was the owner of a very large tract of land. Mrs. Joseph Stewart was still living in 1901, enjoying excellent health for one of her years. She was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1824, and her maiden name was Margaret Nelson. Her parents were also natives of the Keystone State (Pennsylvania), but her paternal grandfather was born in Ireland.

George Stewart, son of Joseph Stewart, accompanied his parents to Manhattan, Kansas, but on May 24, 1870, he settled in Vernon Township, Cowley County. In the following August, he returned to Manhattan, where on the 25th day of the month he was united in marriage with Nancy A. Purvis. With his bride he returned to Cowley County, in November, and with the exception of the six months in 1875, which they spent in Colorado, they resided in Cowley County ever since.

The Stewart family, like their neighbors, lived in accordance with the primitive customs of the early days, and endured their share of privations and hardships.

George Stewart first located on section 2, Vernon Township, and a man named Ben Stansbury disputed his right to the claim. One day while Mr. Stewart had gone to the Arkansas River for logs with which to lay a foundation for his house, Stansbury, with 25 men, entered the place and carried the former’s wagon-bed and camping outfit to the top of a high hill to the west side of his claim, and beyond its limits. Mr. Stewart left the outfit where it had been placed by Stansbury and his men until it was burned by prairie fires, but he went to Stansbury about sunset, and told him that if he ever entered the claim after that sundown, he would have to be carried off by his friends. Mr. Stansbury took the hint and never returned, and in the course of time remuneration was made for the property carried away.

Mr. and Mrs. George Stewart had six children: Joseph P., deceased; a baby, who died in infancy; Charles L., who lived in Oklahoma; Walter F., deceased; Nettie M., who graduated from the Winfield Business College in 1900, and was devoting her time to the study of music; and Vernon E., who lived on his father’ farm.

The darkest clouds that ever hovered over this household resulted from the untimely death of their promising son, Walter F. Stewart, who was called away at the age of thirteen years, on the threshold of his boyhood.

Vernon Township 1873: George Stewart, 28; spouse, A. A., 22.

Vernon Township 1873: Joseph Stewart, 55; spouse, M., 49.

Vernon Township 1873: Female also mentioned: N. J. Stewart, 23.

FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.

[COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS.]

Winfield Courier, January 16, 1874.

The following bills were presented and allowed.

Joseph Stewart, road damages: $10.00; George Stewart, road damage: $5.00.

[REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.]

Winfield Courier, June 26, 1874.

Geo. Stewart and wife to Sarah Fowler, e ½ of n e ¼ section 2 tp 32 s of r 3 east, 80 acres $500.

[THE DISTRICT COURT: SEPTEMBER TERM.]

Winfield Courier, September 18, 1874.

CIVIL DOCKET. SIXTH DAY. Geo Stewart vs. Rufus B. Waite.

Winfield Courier, April 26, 1877.

Joseph Stewart, of Vernon Township, has sold his farm there and moved to Maple City, in this county.

Winfield Courier, December 20, 1877.

In the case of George Stewart vs. Rufus B. Waite, error from Cowley County, the supreme court reversed the decision of the court below.

[DISTRICT COURT.]

Winfield Courier, May 9, 1878.

The docket was called. Case dismissed: Geo. Stewart vs. R. B. Waite.

Winfield Courier, June 20, 1878.

DIED. A son of Mr. J. P. Stewart, of Maple Township, was drowned last Thursday by accidentally wading into a prairie well.

[VALLEY VIEW CORRESPONDENT: “BOBOLINK.”]

Winfield Courier, September 7, 1882.

Mr. George Stewart, Mr. Carter, Mr. Marsh Allen, and in fact all of our farmers are through with their threshing, and all are happy, as the yield was larger than anticipated. We are in much need of rain and the farmers are a little anxious in regard to their future wheat crop, as the ground is now too dry for plowing.

Winfield Courier, September 21, 1882.

MARRIED. Married, at the residence of Mr. George Stewart in Vernon Township, September 16, 1882, by Rev. J. H. Snyder, Henry O. Woolley and Miss Sarah B. Stewart. We thought Oscar seemed wonderfully elated, and this announcement explains it all. The COURIER wishes the young couple a happy, prosperous life.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 16, 1885.

Mr. Joseph Stewart has sued his wife, Margaret, for a divorce, in the Barbour County court. Deputy Sheriff Herrod served the papers Tuesday.