My Genealogy Hound

STEWART, REV. WILLIAM, horticulturist; Sec. 12; P. O. Quincy. The subject of this sketch was born in Cutler, Washington county, Maine, June 18, 1830; moved to this county with his father in the spring of 1836, and settled in Payson. He received his education in the public schools of Payson, and at the Madison University at Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y. He was married in 1850 to Miss Sarah E. Kay, daughter of Gabriel Kay, of Payson. She died in 1860. By this marriage he had four children, three of whom are now living — two sons and one daughter. In 1856 he was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist church at Payson. In 1861 he was again married, this time to Miss Maggie R. Kay, daughter of Robert Kay, of Payson. By this marriage he has had four children, three of whom are now living — one son and two daughters. The first six years of his ministerial life was spent as pastor for different congregations, since which time his services have been to all intents and purposes gratuitous, he having received no pecuniary reward to amount to anything. In the spring of 1851 he entered into a partnership with his father in the nursery business, at Payson, and in the fall of the same year they purchased what is now known as the “Fawley Place” (then known as the “Pinney Place”), and started the Quincy Nursery in the spring of 1852; and in 1853 they purchased the Hannibal Nursery, making in all three nurseries they owned and operated. In 1854 he sold his interest out to his brother. In 1853, he, as temporary secretary, in company with his father, Edward Everett, and others, organized the first agricultural society of the county, and held the first fair in the county. In the fall of the same year they exhibited some of their fruit at the State Fair, and were awarded several first premiums. The first horticultural society of the county was organized with Mr. Stewart as Secretary and Treasurer, which position he occupied for a number of years. In the spring of 1862 he purchased and commenced improving the beautiful suburban place he now occupies, and has succeeded in bringing it to a degree of perfection rarely equaled, and not surpassed, in the county. Its productions rank among the finest that come to the Quincy market, and have taken numerous first premiums at state and county fairs. He is Independent in politics, and one of the most valued of the county’s citizens.