James A. Stewart Biography This biography appears on pages 1730-1731 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. JAMES A. STEWART, postmaster of Edgemont and president of the Citizens' Bank, at the same place, is a native of Newton county, Indiana, born May 18, 1863. His father was a tiller of the soil, and to this kind of labor young Stewart was reared, his early experience on the farm being instrumental in forming industrious habits and teaching him the important lessons of independence and self-reliance. At the proper age he entered the district school and attended the same of winter seasons until the age of seventeen. While still a youth he left home and went with a brother to Furnas county, Nebraska, where the two took up land, and later he spent two years teaching in the public schools of that state. Discontinuing educational work, he served a two-years apprenticeship at the printer's trade in Arrapahoe, and after becoming an efficient workman followed his chosen calling in various parts of the west, traveling over a number of states and territories and finding employment in Denver, San Francisco and other cities and towns. In the spring of 1895 Mr. Stewart came to South Dakota and, in partnership with Harvey Goddard, purchased the Edgemont Express. a weekly paper which had been established a number of years before under the name of the Dudley Reporter. This paper was originally started in a settlement across the river, known as Dudley, but later was moved to Edgemont, where it has since been published, being the oldest paper in the town, also one of the best edited and most influential local sheets in the county of Fall River. Mr. Stewart was identified witl1 this publication until October, 1897, when he disposed of his interests in the office to Mr. Goddard and the same month was appointed postmaster of Edgemont, which position he still holds. In 1899 he embarked in the sheep business on the Cheyenne river, and is now regarded as one of the leaders of this important industry in western Dakota. He keeps a number of men employed to look after his extensive live-stock interests, owns large tracts of fine grazing land in various parts of the country and from this business alone derives a liberal income. In June, 1903, Mr. Stewart and George Forbes organized the Citizens' Bank, of Edgemont, the former being made president and the latter cashier. The enterprise thus far has more than realized the high expectations of the proprietors, the bank being one of the solid and popular monetary institutions of the state, and the business already is rapidly increasing. Mr. Stewart is careful and conservative as a financier and possesses executive ability of a high order. The confidence reposed in him by business men and the people in general is attested by the steady growth of the bank in public favor and although of brief duration his experience in monetary affairs has already won him an enviable reputation in financial circles. In politics he has always been an ardent Republican, and an influential member of the party. Since becoming a resident of Fall River county he has taken a prominent part in politics, serving as a delegate to nearly every county, district and state convention during the interim, and in April, 1902, he was honored by being elected mayor of Edgemont, which office he has since held; he also served several years as a member of the local school board. Mr. Stewart has filled worthily important public trusts, and in every relation of life has been true and faithful in the discharge of his duties. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, has held various official positions in the order and endeavors to exemplify the precepts and teachings of the same in his various relations with his fellow men. Mr. Stewart's domestic life began in 1888, on June 19th of which year was solemnized his marriage with Miss Ada N. Witherow, of Illinois, the ceremony taking place in Afton, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are the parents of four children, viz: Lloyd, Fern, Albert and Ada.