Pitkin County CO Archives Biographies.....Steward, John S.  December 5, 1834 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 16, 2006, 9:20 am

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     One of Pitkin county’s oldest and most esteemed ranchmen and worthiest

citizens, John S. Steward’s life among its people has been an example of value

to the younger generation, and of political influence in the development and

progress of the county.  He is a native of Nova Scotia, Canada, born on December

5, 1834, and the son of John and Margaret (Robinson) Steward, natives of

Scotland.  The father devoted his life to farming and both parents were

Presbyterians in religious faith.  He was a liberal in politics and took an

active part in public local affairs.  There were seven children born in the

family, only two of whom are living, James and John S.  The father died on May

10, 1874, and the mother on May 27, 1887. Their son John S. attended the public

schools, and when a mere boy began assisting his parents on the farm, remaining

at home until 1882, when he came to Colorado to collect some money that was due

him here, he being engaged in the manufacture of carriages in his native

country, where he also served as a justice of the peace by appointment.  On his

arrival in this state he was pleased with the climate and promise of prosperity

and concluded to remain. He was offered a compensation of five dollars a day to

work at blacksmithing, a trade he had learned and followed in Nova Scotia, and

at once began operations at the work at Leadville.  He remained there until

1884, when he moved to his present location, and in partnership with J.D. Hooper

leased mining property in Tourtellote Park.  The next seven years were devoted

to the development of this property with fair success, and in 1885 he purchased

the ranch he now owns and occupies, comprising one hundred and fifty-seven

acres, and turned his attention to raising stock and general farming.  His land

is productive and under his skillful cultivation yields abundant crops of hay,

grain and other farm products, and generously supports the cattle and horses

which he raises in large numbers.  Here he has taken a warm and serviceable

interest in the affairs of the community, supporting the Republican party and

serving the people faithfully as a justice of the peace elected on that party’s

ticket.  He was married on April 18, 1855, to Miss Sarah Boggs, a native of Nova

Scotia, and daughter of John and Margaret Boggs, also natives of that country,

and prosperous farmers there.  Their family comprised six children, only one of

whom is living, their son John, who resides in Nova Scotia.  Both parents of

Mrs. Steward died after reaching the age of ninety.  To her and her husband

there were born nine children. Three of these, John A., Joseph M. and Janet

Agnes, have died.  The six living are Sarah, now Mrs.  Joseph Spanks, of Nova

Scotia; Mary, now Mrs. Norman Robinson, of Boston; John Hy; Elizabeth, now Mrs.

Robert McCann, of Boston; Carolina M. and Joseph M.  Their mother died on August

14, 1873, and on November 26, 1874, Mr. Steward married a second wife, Miss

Catherine McClain, also a Nova Scotian by nativity, born in November, 1844, and

daughter of Hugh and Sarah McPherson McClain, successful farmers there.  Both of

her parents are deceased, the father dying in October, 1851, and the mother in

August, 1895.  They were members of the Catholic church and had a family of nine

children, two of whom died in infancy.  The living are John S., Duncan, Agnes,

Mary, Sarah, Margaret and Catherine.  Of Mr. Steward’s second marriage five

children were born.  Three of them, Daniel J., Ronald M. and Janet A., have

died.  Hugh and Annie are living, the latter being the wife of Daniel W. Chisim,

of Pitkin county, living near Snow Mass.  Now in the evening of life, Mr.

Steward can look back over his career with the satisfaction of seeing a clean

record of duty well and faithfully performed and opportunities wisely and

worthily used.  He is secure in the regard and good will of his fellow men, and

sees blooming around him the results of a tremendous effort in peaceful industry

to develop the country in which he has lived so long, and to whose progress he

has contributed largely and substantially and to effective purpose.   

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pitkin/bios/steward295gbs.txt

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