Crawford Co., AR - Biographies - William T. Steward

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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed 
Publishing Co., 1889.
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William T. Steward, farmer and stock raiser, was born in this county, 
at Lancaster, in 1845, his parents being Hon. Harvey and Delilah 
(Ratliff) Steward. The father was a man of influence in the county, 
who, although he attended school but one month, studied at home under 
his father's direction and became a well-informed man. He engaged in 
blacksmithing, wagon-making and cotton-ginning, and by hard work and 
economy became the owner of considerable property. He worked as a 
general mechanic in Crawford County, Ohio, and [p.1198] also erected 
and operated a gin mill, which was the first in the county. He passed 
nearly his entire life in this county, dying about ten years ago, and 
he was three times married. He served three years during the war as a 
captain in the Confederate army, being stationed at Galveston Island. 
He was a Democrat, and as such represented the county from 1850 until 
1852 in the Lower House of the State Legislature. The grandfather, 
William, was a soldier in the Mexican War, and for many years lived 
near Lancaster. He was a pioneer of this county, and built and 
operated the first water, grist and saw mill. He was thrown from his 
horse and killed during the war. Our subject was left motherless when 
three days old, and when nine years old he went to Texas with his 
grandfather, Thompson Ratliff, by whom he was reared. At the age of 
seventeen he joined Company D, of the Thirtieth Texas Cavalry, and was 
in active service in Texas, Indian Territory, Arkansas, Missouri and 
Louisiana until disbanded in Texas in the fall of 1865. He then 
returned to the home of his grandfather and engaged in freighting 
between Dallas, Austin, Milligan and Bryant City. He made one trip to 
Eagle Pass, on the Rio Grande, hauling cotton, hides and dry goods. In 
1869 he married Johanna Johnson, who was born on the farm where Mr. 
Steward now lives, and where Mrs. Steward's father died. This union 
has been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living. Mr. 
Steward was married in Texas, and the same year returned to Crawford 
County, and has since lived upon his present place. He owns 176 acres 
near Alma, and in 1878 erected a steam corn mill and cotton-gin, which 
he now operates. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Greeley 
in 1872. He is a Mason and a member of Alma Lodge No. 43, and himself 
and wife belong to the Christian Church. 

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