BIO: Howard M. STUART, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  HOWARD M. STUART. Among the leading and influential agriculturists of 
Huston township, Centre county, who thoroughly understand their 
business, and pursue the avocation of their lives in a methodical and 
workmanlike manner, is the subject of this biography, whose farm is in 
the Bald Eagle Valley on the Bald Eagle plank road. He was born 
September 13, 1854, in that same township, one mile from his present 
home, and continued under the parental roof until after the death of 
his parents, when he assumed charge of the farm, and has since 
successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.
  John W. Stuart, father of our subject, was a native of Blair county, 
Penn., and a son of William and Hannah Stuart, who spent their entire 
lives in that county. On reaching manhood he married Patience Williams, 
who was born in Centre county, a daughter of George and Hannah 
Williams. Her parents were also natives of Centre county, and lived 
upon the present farm of our subject, which has been in the Williams 
family for years. By occupation John W. Stuart 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  393

was a farmer and carpenter, but was principally engaged in the latter 
pursuit. On coming to Centre county in 1846 he located in Huston 
township, and for five years engaged in merchandising. Here his death 
occurred October 3, 1893, when he was aged eighty-five years, six 
months and four days, and his wife passed away September 1, 1894, at 
the age of eighty-three years, three months and six days. They were 
both earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church, and in 
politics he was a Republican. Of their four children, John died when 
young, and Alice and Junietta died in infancy, our subject, therefore, 
being the only one living.
  On October 12, 1874, Howard M. Stuart, our subject, was married to 
Miss Elizabeth J. McDonald, and they have seven children, whose names 
and dates of birth are as follows: Annie P., January 25, 1876; Alda B., 
February 20, 1879; Allie J., October 8, 1881; Hannah, June19, 1884; 
Bardens, June 19, 1889; John W., August 1, 1893; and Harry, August 6, 
1895. All are still with their parents, though Annie P. is now the wife 
of J. R. Williams, a school teacher, by whom she has one son, Theodore, 
born September 1, 1894.
  Mrs. Stuart was born in Huston township, Centre county, August 12, 
1859, and is a daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Records) McDonald, also 
natives of Centre county, the former born in 1831, and the latter in 
1829, in Huston township, where they still reside. The father was a 
member of the Union army during the Civil war, and was wounded in 
battle. Throughout his business career he has followed farming and 
lumbering. His parents John and Elizabeth (Irvin) McDonald, were 
natives of Clearfield county, Penn., but spent their last days upon a 
farm in Centre county. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Stuart was 
William Records. To Alexander and Sarah McDonald were born eight 
children, namely: Joseph, now a farmer of Clearfield county; Abner, a 
farmer of Huston township, Centre county; Elizabeth J., the honored 
wife of our subject; Alexander, a railroad engineer residing at 
Blairsville, Westmoreland Co., Penn.; Emma, at home; Mary, wife of a 
Mr. Lane, a farmer of Iowa; Nora, wife of Calvin Hall, a carpenter of 
Clearfield county; and one who died in infancy.
  Mr. Stuart exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and 
measures of the Republican party, and has served his fellow citizens in 
the capacity of supervisor and overseer of the poor as well as school 
director. He was first appointed to fill an unexpired term as overseer, 
and so acceptably did he discharge the duties of that office that he 
has twice been re-elected, and is the present incumbent. He holds 
membership in the Grange of Unionville, Penn., and both himself and 
wife are members of the Baptist Church. They are representative and 
valued citizens of the community in which their entire lives have been 
passed, and none are held in higher regard.