Biographical Sketch of John E. Stewart, Johnson County, Missouri, Hazel Hill Township. >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** John E. Stewart, a successful farmer and stockman of Hazel Hill town- ship, was born March 28, 1858 in Hazel Hill township, Johnson county, a son of Benjamin M. and Jane (Barker) Stewart, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Benjamin M. Stewart was born in Logan county, and in the state of Kentucky was reared, educated, and married. He moved to Miss- ouri, a few years after his marriage with Jane Barker, driving a team of thoroughbred horses through from Kentucky. This team was one of the best ever brought to Missouri and, before the horses had been acclimat- ed, winter came and they almost froze to death. There was no good barn for them and frequently the family's bed clothing was used to blanket them. Mr. Stewart purchased a farm of 40 acres, located in Hazel Hill township, a place owned by James M. Devasher, and one mile northeast of Hazel Hill Mr. and Mrs. Stewart spent the remainder of their lives. To Benjamin M. and Jane (Barker) Stewart were born four children, who are now living: Mrs. Margaret Ellen Gibson, Simpson township, Johnson coun- ty; George H., who is engaged in mining at Leadville, Colorado; John E., the subject of this review; and Mrs. Annie Austin, Fayetteville, Miss- ouri. Both father and mother are now deceased. Mrs. Stewart died in 1901 and burial was made in Liberty cemetery. In the public schools of Fayetteville, Missouri, John E. Stewart received his education. At the age of twenty years, he began life for himself, engaged in farming on the home place. Mr. Stewart has lived all his life in Hazel Hill town- ship. In 1884, he purchased his present country home, a place compri- sing 97 acres of land formerly owned by William Walters, and later increased his holdings by purchasing a tract of 120 acres. The Stewart farm now comprises 217 acres of land one mile southwest of Fayetteville. At one time, this place was well timbered, but most of the timber has been removed. Judge Trapp originally owned the Stewart farm, which is practically all upland, well watered, and nicely improved, and on it Mr. Stewart is raising fine cattle, hogs, horses, and sheep. At the present time, he has 20 head of cattle, nearly 50 head of hogs, and 100 head of Shropshire sheep. Annually, he sells the old sheep and keeps the ewe lambs. Fifty acres of his place are in pasture, 35 acres in hay, and the balance in oats and corn. The farm is well equipped for handling stock. The residence was built in 1887. It is an attractive, comfortable structure of two stories and six spacious rooms. In 1878, John E. Stewart was united in marriage with Mamie Irwin and to them were born two children: George Eldon, Lafayette county, Missouri; and John Cleo, Kansas City, Missouri. Three years after marriage, the mother died. In 1898, Mr. Stewart was married to Adelia A. Rice, the daughter of J. E. and Huldah A. Rice, who are now residing in Camden County, Missouri, the former at the advanced age of 80 years. J. E. Rice was born in Morgan county, Missouri and Mrs. Rice is a native of Ohio. They are the parents of eleven children, all of whom are now living, the youngest being past 30 years of age: Mrs. Mamie Malcom, Benton county, Missouri; Mrs. Bettie Overton, Benton county, Missouri; Charlie, Cass county, Missouri; David Samuel, Fox Valley, Oregon; Grace Beatrice, Climax Springs, Missouri; Mrs. John E. Stewart, the wife of the subject of this review; William Archibald, Camden county, Missouri; Mrs. Effie Allison Brown, Camden county, Missouri; Tressie Ola, Climax Springs, Missouri; Dr. James Wesley, who is serving with the Red Cross in France; and Mrs. Julia Wood, Benton county, Missouri. To John E. and Adelia A. Stewart have been born seven children: Harley Overton, Glenn, Eva Jane, John Edward, Jr.; Rice Allison, William Wilshure and Eugene Andrew. Mrs. Stewart's father, J. E. Rice, is a veteran of the Confederate army, with which he served for three and a half years. Both the Stewart and Rice families have long been highly respected and wide- ly known in this state and Mr. and Mrs. John E. Stewart are held in the highest esteem in Hazel Hill township, where Mr. Stewart has resided for nearly sixty years. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================