OBIT: Hester (DONNELL) STEWART, 1896, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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MRS. HESTER STEWART,

A venerable lady who made her home with her invalid daughter, Miss Agnes, at 
1219 Fourteenth avenue, died unexpectedly at 8:25 o'clock this morning.  
Although very feeble from age and a constant sufferer for the past two 
years, she had only been bedfast two weeks.  About 7 o'clock this morning, 
without leaving her bed, she ate a hearty breakfast and her condition seemed 
to be somewhat improved.  Soon afterwards she complained of a choking 
sensation and almost immediately fell back on her pillow, dead.  Mrs. 
Stewart, whose maiden name was Donnelly, was born in Belfast, Ireland, on 
Easter Sunday, ninety years ago.  She was married there to Alexander 
Stewart, and came to this country about fifty-five years ago, first living 
at Spruce Creek and afterwards at Baker's ore banks, just east of the city.  
Mr. Stewart died there thirty-five years ago, and two years later Mrs. 
Stewart with her family came to this city, which had been her home ever 
since.  She was the mother of five children, Alexander, William, Sarah, 
Agnes, and Hester, all of whom are dead except Agnes.  Alexander was a 
soldier in the late war, and died after his return home from disease 
contracted in the service.  Hester was the wife of the late George J. Akers, 
a well-known newspaper man.  For many years Mrs. Stewart had the burden of 
raising her family, and performed that duty with self-sacrificing devotion.  
She was a woman of considerable strength of character, and in her younger 
days was active and energetic in every good work.  Quite naturally she 
enjoyed a large acquaintance, and was universally esteemed and respected.  
She was a devout member of the Catholic church.  Besides her daughter, Miss 
Agnes, she leaves a granddaughter, Miss Gertie Akers, in Pittsburg.  The 
funeral will take place at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon.  Services at St. 
John's church; interment in St. John's cemetery.

Altoona Mirror, April 1, 1896