168                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

ship for five years and in public office was always prompt, accurate and
faithful in the discharge of his duties. During the period of hostilities
between the north and the south be enlisted for active service with Com-
pany C of the Forty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers for three
years or during the war, and at the front met all of the experiences inci-
dent to military life. His political allegiance was given to the Republican
party and upon that ticket be was elected to the office of county recorder,
in which position he served until his demise. He was the only candi-
date on the republican ticket elected to a county office that year—a fact
which was strongly indicative of his personal popularity and the confi-
dence and trust reposed in him by his fellowmen. He was long a de—
voted member of the Baptist church and in his younger days was
affiliated with the Order of Red Men. He likewise belonged to the
Masonic Lodge at Lewis, Indiana, and when called to his final rest was
accorded the honors of a Masonic burial. In business life, in public office
and in home and social relations he ever commanded the respect and
good will of those with whom be was associated and his name is now
enrolled with the honored dead of Clay county.
    Reared upon the home farm in this county Clayton C. Chambers
pursued his education in the graded schools of Lewis township, and
after his father’s election to the office of county recorder he became his
assistant. Two years later, upon his father’s death, he was chosen to
succeed him in the position November 1, 1906. His previous experience
had well qualified him for the capable discharge of his duties and his
appointment was a gratification to his many friends who recognize his
worth and fidelity. He is yet a young man but has full appreciation of
the responsibilities that devolve upon him and in the discharge of his
duties is proving himself worthy of the public trust. Like his father,
be has given his political support to the Republican party since attaining
his majority.

    WILLIAM D. STEWART.—Among the representatives of commercial
interests in Brazil is numbered William D. Stewart, who is successfully
conducting a grocery store. He deserves representation in this volume
by reason of the fact that he is closely associated with the present progress
and prosperity of the city and also because he is a representative of one
of the old pioneer families of the county. He was born in Williamstown,
this county, September 5, 1851, his parents being James Harvey and
Henrietta (Yocom) Stewart, both of whom were natives of Kentucky,
the former born January 27, 1827, and the latter in 1829. Coming to
Indiana in early life they were married near Cloverland, in Posey town-
ship, Clay county, and three children were born unto them, but two
have passed away, leaving William D. Stewart, the second child, as the
only survivor. The wife and mother died in 1853 and the father after-
ward married Catharine Russell, a native of Pennsylvania. Unto them
were born five children, four daughters and a son, all of whom have
passed away with the exception of the eldest, Mary, who is now the wife
of Jacob Earlish, Sr. The father, James Harvey Stewart, left an orphan
when quite young, was bound out to a Mr. Rogers near Crawfordsville,
Indiana. While working for Mr. Rogers, they many times drove from
Montgomery county to Cincinnati, Ohio, with wheat and there traded
it for salt, bushel for bushel, showing the condition of the times then.
When twenty years of age he hired a young man to serve out his time