My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  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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JOSEPH C. STEWART. No finer farm is to be found in Cedarville Township, Greene County, than that owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch, and which is located on the Columbus Pike, five miles northwest of Xenia. In fact, it is justly considered one of the finest places in the county, as it is under the most thorough tillage, while the buildings upon it are of the best class in construction and design. The dwelling is a commodious brick structure which was built fifty-five years ago by Squire Joseph Kyle and was for a number of years the home of Samuel Charlton and family. The estate comprises two hundred and fifty-seven acres.

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is descended in the direct line from Samuel Stewart, who with his brother William came from Ireland to America and served in the Colonial Army during the Revolution. Their settlement was made in Chester District, S. C., whence both came to this county about the year 1818. The family of Samuel Stewart consisted of two sons, Robert and Samuel, Jr., the latter of whom was the father of Dr. Robert Stewart of Xenia, the father of our subject. Dr. Stewart married Elizabeth Mary White, a daughter of Joseph and Diana (Miller) White, the Miller family being from New Jersey and the Whites from Kentucky. Joseph White and his father, for whom he was named, came from the Blue Grass State to this county with a colony from the Seceder Church about the year 1804, and settled on Sugar Creek.

The birth of Joseph Stewart took place December 11, 1843, in Oxford, Butler County, where his parents lived for a short time, but his education was received in Xenia, to which they removed during his childhood. Although not yet of age when the Civil War broke out, the young man was fired with enthusiasm in his country’s cause, and on July 25, 1801, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry. The regiment was attached to the Eighth Corps and served in Virginia for three years, taking part in all the campaigns in West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, being under the leadership of Gens. Hunter, Averill, Crook and Sheridan. The most notable battles in which they participated were Winchester, Opequan and Cedar Creek. At the first mentioned the rebels made a descent on the regimental camp and our subject left his tent in such haste that he was arrayed only in his night clothes, and snatching as he went his Springfield rifle. During the engagement he received shots through his clothing but no bodily injury. At both the other engagements the regiment lost heavily and they bore a gallant part in numerous skirmishes, suffering in common with their comrades the hardships attending marches and camp life. Mr. Stewart received his discharge in September, 1864, after a creditable service of three years and three months.

Returning to his home when his army life was over, Mr. Stewart engaged with D. R. Harbine & Co., grain dealers of Xenia, by whom he was employed three years. At the expiration of that period he received the appointment of Government store keeper at the distillery at Harbine Station, which position he held as long as the business lasted. In 1869 he went to Kansas City, Mo., afterward going to Junction City Kan., where he helped in the organization of an expedition to Prescott, Arizona. The organization was known as the Arizona Mining Association and started from Ft. Riley with ox teams for a trip of fourteen hundred miles. Subsequently he went to California, spending the winter of 1873 — 74 at the different cities in that State. At that time there was but one railroad in Los Angeles, which ran twelve miles to the coast.

Returning home by rail in 1874, Mr. Stewart remained until the following year, when he went again to Junction City and fitted out another expedition for the same route, this time going with four mules to a wagon and there being twenty-five wagons in the train, which was afterward joined by some others. They carried large tents, cook stoves, and other conveniences, together with a piano and organ which were brought into use when they would stop, which at times they did for several days. There were a number of young ladies in the party and a pleasant summer was passed among the mountains, in the enjoyment of the beautiful in nature, the bracing air, and in fishing and other amusements. During the western tours Mr. Stewart was in Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Idaho and Wyoming; and he also made a trip to the Sandwich Islands and South America.

After disposing of this outfit at the conclusion of the second tour, Mr. Stewart returned to Kansas and took up a piece of land in Cloud County, having charge of an outfitting store at a small place called Glasco. There he remained until 1881, when he returned to Xenia, Ohio, and taking to himself a companion made a permanent settlement in this county. For a time he kept books for his brother, subsequently being appointed Deputy Auditor of the county, and after the death of his father-in-law taking charge of the fine estate which he purchased upon the death of the widow of its former owner.

The cultured woman whose Christian character and womanly accomplishments add a charm to the home of Mr. Stewart, bore the maiden name of Anna C. Charlton. Her parents, Samuel and Sarah (Snyder) Charlton, came to this county from Maryland about 1830, and became well and favorably known in this vicinity. Mr. Charlton had high standing in the community where he was honored for his integrity in all dealings with his neighbors and fellow-men. Both himself and wife were born in the State whence they came to this county, the wife having opened her eyes to the light at Clear Springs.

Mr. Stewart is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Republican, his views having been welded firmly in the fires of the Civil War. He has been reared in the United Presbyterian Church to which his wife also belongs, although her early training was that of Methodism. Both have standing among the best class of citizens in the county, and are esteemed worthy members of the society and exponents of the Christian faith which they profess.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

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