Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Stewart, Washington D 1826 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 11:31 pm

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

WASHINGTON D. STEWART is one of the oldest residents in point of settlement in 
Custer Township, and has been a very efficient aid in developing its fine 
agricultural resources. He was born July 30, 1826, in Wayne County, Ohio, a 
son of John and Elizabeth (Motz) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania. They were 
married in that State about 1820, and moving to Ohio, became early settlers of 
Wayne County, where the father carried on farming and where they made their 
permanent home till death called them to a higher life, she dying in 1876, and 
he in 1880. They had eleven children, eight of whom are now living. The son of 
whom we write was their sixth child. His early educational advantages were 
limited and after he was eight years old, he never attended school again. 
Ambitious, however, to better his education, later in life he pursued his 
studies and became quite a proficient, especially in mathematics. During his 
youth he was kept in attendance at the Postoffice and bar of the tavern 
belonging to his father, but at the age of nineteen he began life for himself. 
For some years he engaged in handling stock and in general trading until he 
had quite a sum of money. In 1847, he came to Illinois and bought his present 
farm, locating land warrants for four hundred acres. He did not however, 
settle here then, but went back to his home in Ohio, and in 1850 returned with 
his family to make his permanent residence here. The two hundred and eighty 
acres of land comprising his farm have been put under excellent tillage and he 
has erected a substantial set of buildings. He first erected a frame house and 
in 1868, built his present more commodious residence at a cost of $2,800. He 
has given his attention to stock-raising and farming, and formerly raised some 
very fine blooded cattle. Mr. Stewart was married April 23, 1845, to Miss 
Rosella Tanner, a daughter of Stephen Tanner, of Wayne County, Ohio, a pioneer 
farmer of that locality. Mrs. Stewart was born November 24, 1826, on her 
father's homestead in Wayne County, and received the advantages of a good 
common-school education. Mrs. Stewart departed this life March 27, 1888. Of 
the six children born of her marriage with our subject, two are now living: 
Ella, wife of Joseph Myers, who lives with our subject; and Emma. Our subject 
occupies a worthy place among the pioneers of the county, and during his long 
residence in Custer Township has shown himself to be a good citizen who has 
always taken an interest in its welfare and who has served it faithfully while 
in public office. For many years he has been a Director of the school district 
and for eight years has served with credit as Justice of the Peace. He has 
been Township Clerk and Road Commissioner. He has always taken an active part 
in politics and keeps himself well posted on the political issues of the day. 
He has been a sound Democrat from his youth upwards, though in local affairs, 
he votes for the man regardless of party.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/stewart570gbs.txt

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