My Genealogy Hound

DAVID STEWART. Among the many good farmers and prosperous men who make a home in Clark County, none is better deserving of representation in this volume than the gentleman above-named. He is the owner and occupant of one of the most fertile and productive farms in Green Township, comprising two hundred and ten acres on section 28, all in one body. The residence was built by his father in 1829, but has been greatly improved by its present owner, and although now sixty-one years old presents an attractive appearance. It is built in the substantial fashion of the past generation, is home-like in its arrangement, has been fitted with every means of comfort, and under the care of competent housekeepers is a model of neatness and order.

In Dauphin County, Pa., James Stewart opened his eyes to the light January 9, 1781. In the same county, November 7, 1790, Jane Elder was born. The two grew to maturity, became attached to each other, and on March 25, 1811, were joined in holy wedlock. In 1813 they came to Butler County. About two years later they came to Clark County, Ohio, settling on the farm now owned by our subject, which was their home until death. To this couple were born ten children, seven of whom are yet living. The subject of this biographical notice is the ninth child. The father was called from time to eternity April 15, 1857, and the mother May 6, 1863.

The birth of David Stewart took place in the old homestead August 20, 1823. He received a good practical education in the common schools, and under the watchful care of his estimable parents he developed traits of character which have won for him the respect of all with whom he has come in contact. At the age of twenty-one years he began working on the farm on shares, continuing the occupation until May 2, 1864, when he became a member of the Union army. His name was attached to the muster roll of Company D, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio National Guards, a command which was stationed at Fayetteville, W. Va., and also at Cotton Hill. The enlistment was for one hundred days, but they spent one hundred and twenty-eight days. At the expiration of the time for which he had enlisted, Mr. Stewart was honorably discharged, and returning to his home resumed the occupation of a tiller of the soil.

In January, 1859, Mr. Stewart led to the hymenial altar Miss Laura McKeehan. She was one of eight, children born to James and Alary (Winters) McKeehan, her natal day having been the 13th of April, 1837. Her parents were natives of Maryland, whence they came to Ohio about 1850, locating on the farm now owned by Peter Knott. Mr. McKeehan breathed his last in 1874, his widow surviving until 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart five children were born — Carrie E., Estella, Anna Mary, James McKeehan, and David Edwin, commonly known as Ned. The third daughter is now the wife of Cargill Morton, and resides in Cedarville, Greene County. The family met with a sad bereavement October 2, 1873, when the loving wife and mother was removed from them by the hand of death. Her loss was felt not only in the home where her noble character and deeds of love were best known and most highly valued, but by many friends and acquaintances whose esteem she had gained. The two unmarried daughters are filling as best they can her place at the head of household affairs, and practicing the lessons of goodness and housewifely skill which she had taught them.

Mr. Stewart has not only ably conducted his personal affairs, proving his thorough knowledge of agriculture, but he has been useful to the community in which he lives as an example of good citizenship and an active worker in various public capacities. Especially does he deserve credit for the fine condition of the roads in the district over which he has been Supervisor. He has been a Trustee of Green Township for seven consecutive years at a time when the term was a single year. He has also been a member of the Board of Education of the township and a Director of the School District in which he lives. Believing that the consent of the governed and their intelligent conception of laws is necessary to the good of the people, he takes considerable interest in politics, his vote being cast with the Republicans. The entire family are members of the Presbyterian Church, at Clifton, and are actively interested in Sunday-school work, while the business ability of the family is made useful to the society in the capacity of a Trustee. The nature of Mr. Stewart is a kindly one, and this fact, combined with his upright character and ability, gives him a high standing throughout the community.