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Below is a family biography included in History of Lee County, Iowa published by Western Historical Company in 1879. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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STEWART, JOHN, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 1; P. O. Pilot Grove; the parents of John, James and Mary, were natives of Scotland, but early in life emigrated to Belfast, Ireland; thence in 1813, to America, and settled in Guernsey Co., Ohio, where they were among the first settlers, it being two years before they had a neighbor nearer than seven miles; his father died in that county January, 1860; his mother then came to Lee Co., where she found a home with her son, and died March, 1863; seven children had been born to Mr. and Mrs. S., four sons and three children, the subject of this sketch being the only son now living; he came to Iowa in the fall of 1843, then in his 21st year; went to Van Buren Co., whence, in June, 1844, he married Mary, daughter of Robert and Ellen Steel, who were early settlers of Lee Co., but afterward removed to Jefferson Co.; she was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Oct. 1, 1822; in 1848, they settled near Pilot Grove, where he held the post office for five years, and in 1856, to where he now resides; owns 265 acres of land, valued at $50 per acre; he also owns 419 acres in Henry Co., valued at $20 per acre. They have had nine children, seven now living — Mary E., born February, 1847, wife of J. W. Griffith, of Atlanta, Neb.; Rezilla, Dec. 29, 1848, wife of Oliver Holcomb, of Nebraska; Jane, Nov. 11, 1850, married Wm. L. Miller, also of Nebraska, and died April 4, 1876; James, Dec. 13, 1852, a farmer of Henry Co.; Annie M., Dec. 15, 1854, the wife of Thos. Vincent, of Madison Co., Iowa; Robert S., born April 16, 1857; William, Nov. 1, 1858; Maggie, Dec. 21, 1860, and John, Dec. 2, 1862, died Dec. 27, 1862. Democrat; Mrs. S. is a member of the Baptist Church. He has held various township and school offices.
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This family biography is one of 668 biographies included in The History of Lee County, Iowa published in 1879. For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Iowa History and Genealogy
View additional Lee County, Iowa family biographies: Lee County, Iowa Biographies
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