BIO: John W. 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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  JOHN W. STUART is a prosperous business man and influential citizen 
of State College, Centre county, and the following brief biography is 
interesting as showing in outline the influence and events which have 
marked his life.
  Mr. Stuart had the advantage at the outset of a name which has been 
held in high esteem in this section from pioneer times, his paternal 
grandfather, Rev. William Stuart, a well-beloved minister of the 
Presbyterian faith, having in early days come from Donegal, Ireland, to 
make his home in Centre county.  An able, fearless, and devoted 
preacher, the effect of his labors at that formative period cannot be 
estimated.  His circuit extended from the Susquehanna at Lewisburg to 
Clearfield, the entire region being then known as Union county.  Of his 
three children: Priscilla married Dr. Montgomery, and resided in 
Lycoming county, Penn.; Isabella died in early womanhood; and David 
(our subject's father), who was born in Harris township, Centre county, 
in 1812, is now living in Boalsburg.  His life has been spent quietly, 
agriculture being his main pursuit, although he has also been engaged 
in lumbering.  His patriotism is of the stalwart type, and he was a 
stanch advocate of the doctrine of "America for the Americans" in Know-
nothing times.  Later he became a Republican, and in 1862 was one of 
the emergency men who volunteered to protect the State from the 
invasion of the Rebel army, while in local affairs he has always 
exerted much influence in a quiet way.  His wife, Martha (Johnson), was 
born in

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  267

Harris township, Centre county, in 1813, and passed from earth in 1885.  
Col. James Johnson, her father, a native of Lancaster county, Penn., 
was a prominent merchant and hotel keeper at Boalsburg.  Mrs. Stuart 
was one of eight children, the others being: George, a prosperous iron-
master, who held the offices of sheriff and associate judge of 
Huntingdon county; James, who died in 1862 or 1863; Nancy (Mrs. J. H. 
Mitchell, of College township), who died about a year ago; Ann, who 
married a Mr. Montgomery; Ellen, who married Alexander Johnson, of 
Boalsburg, and are both now deceased; Hannah, the widow of the late 
Judge Birchfield, of Centre county; and Margaret (deceased), who was 
the first wife of Judge Birchfield.
  Seven children blessed the union of David and Martha Stuart: 
Priscilla Ann, who has never married; Col. James T., a resident of 
Boalsburg; Esther E. (Mrs. Samuel B. Wilson), deceased; William, who 
died in infancy; John W., our subject; George, who died in childhood; 
and Harry S., now residing in Boalsburg.
  John W. Stuart was born August 23, 1844, in Harris township, Centre 
county, and his education was acquired in the common schools of that 
section, and in Pine Grove Academy.  When the Civil war broke out, he 
was only a boy in years, but the stirring events of that time brought 
quick development to natures which were capable of high resolution and 
courageous action.  In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 148th P. V. I., 
and served until mustered out June, 9, 1865.  Entering with the rank of 
private, he was soon made sergeant, and January 1, 1864, he was 
commissioned lieutenant.  For three months he served as quartermaster 
of his regiment, but the greater part of his time was spent at more 
dangerous work, as he participated in all the important engagements of 
the regiment from Chancellorsville to Appomattox Court House.  On May 
10, 1864, he was wounded at Poe river, necessitating his absence from 
duty until September 1, 1864, when he rejoined his comrades in front of 
Petersburg, Virginia.
  After his return to peaceful avocations, our subject followed 
agriculture for ten years, and then spent three years in the hotel 
business at State College.  Since that time he has continued in 
business there, as a general merchant for eight years, and later as a 
dealer in coal and grain.  He is one of the leaders in these lines, and 
owns two elevators, one at State College and one at Oak Hall, Penn.  On 
December 23, 1869, Mr. Stuart married Miss Margaret Ellen Musser, a 
native of Boalsburg, born August 1, 1850, and they have five children.  
Elizabeth
Musser, a young lady of fine intellectual gifts, was educated at State 
College; William A. is at home; George died at the age of six months; 
Daniel is a student at State College; and Maggie Johnson is at home.
  Mr. Stuart's gallant record as a soldier entitles him to membership 
in the G. A. R., and he belongs to Capt. Foster Post, No. 197, at 
Lemont.   He is also a member of the Union Veteran Legion at 
Bellefonte, holding the rank of colonel. He served as postmaster 
through the Garfield-Arthur administrations, and was again appointed 
postmaster by President McKinley in 1897, in which capacity he is now 
serving.