WILLIAM STEWART

STEWART, ARNOLD, HURLBUT, CARPENTER, FILLMORE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/4/2020 at 20:36:16

WILLIAM STEWART was born June 4, 1790, in Sussex Co., New Jersey, and was the oldest of twelve children, whose parents were Daniel Stewart and Ruth Arnold, who were both natives of Connecticut. They were farmers by occupation, and people of piety, both being earnest members of the Presbyterian church. His father was a soldier in the war of independence, and enlisted in the cause of that struggle at the early age of sixteen. William was brought up on the farm, and given as good an education as the schools of that day afforded. In 1802, his father, with his family moved to Athens Co., Ohio, where he resided till his death, engaged as an agriculturist. At the age of twenty-one, our subject began doing for himself as a mechanic, which pursuit he followed till his 27th year, when he began farming; an on account of failing health in 1834, he gave up farming and went into the mercantile business, which occupied his attention till 1857, when investing his money in western lands he renounced all pursuits of a particular nature, and has since been living a retired life in Fort Madison, Lee Co., Iowa, where he has resided since 1862. In the year of 1813, he was united in marriage to Julia Hurlbut, a native of Connecticut. She died in 1823. He has had two children by her. In 1824, he married his second wife, Julia Carpenter, a native of Connecticut. He has had twelve children by his second wife, five of whom are living. In politics, Mr. Steward is rather on the fence. His last vote having being given for Fillmore. It may be proper here to observe that, since the disintegration of the Whig Party, the old gentleman has lost all political heart and courage; although now-a-days he manages to get strength enough of mind to occasionally vote at municipal elections. In religion, he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty-two years. Although Mr. Stewart has done a great deal of hard work, his constitution still denotes fair health and strength. He is a man well respected, has always led a quiet and temperate life, and will, most likely, with proper care, live years yet of dignified and happy old age.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer