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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  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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EDWARD F. STEWART, a well known citizen and retired business man of Easton, and who for a number of years has occupied the.position of President of the First National Bank of this place, is a native of Northampton County, and was born in Easton, October 19, 1819. Mr. Stewart is of Scotch descent, and his ancestors settled in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in an early day. Thomas Stewart, the grandfather of our subject, in whose honor the village of Stewartsville was named, carried on farming near that place, and at the same time attended to the duties of Associate Judge of the County Court. He was a man of influence and very prominent in the community, taking an active part in all public affairs, and being looked up to as a man of more than ordinary intelligence. He belonged to the “good old Whig party” in his day, and was loyal and true in all relations of life. He was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an Elder. He passed away some years ago and is buried in the cemetery near his old home.

John Stewart, the father of Edward F., was born on the old homestead in New Jersey, and emigrated to Pennsylvania in an early day, settling in Easton, where he embarked in the mercantile business, in which occupation he continued for a number of years. Later he formed a partnership with Charles Rodenbough, and established a nail and wire mill, and in this enterprise was very successful. He was also President of the First National Bank of Easton, and was a public-spirited man, closely identified in many ways with the upbuilding of the entire community. In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a valued member.

The subject of this sketch was born and reared in Easton, and received a liberal education in his youth. Early entering the business field, for a great many years he was actively engaged in the arduous duties that fall to the lot of every business man. For some time now, however, he has been practically retired from active service, although still holding the responsible position of President of the First National Bank of Easton. He is also connected with the Stewart Wire Company, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Northampton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and has been identified with the School Board for over twenty-five years. He was formerly a member of the Board of Trustees of Lafayette College.

Mr. Stewart was united in marriage in 1847 with Miss Margaret K., a daughter of A. D. Runkle, of Easton. This union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters: Laura, the wife of Dr. H. D. Lachenour, of Easton; and Ella, the wife of Rev. Henry M. Baum, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church. In his political views our subject is a Republican, and well acquainted with the political questions of the day. He has always taken an active interest in school affairs, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. By his own well directed efforts, and through the legitimate channels of business, he has achieved success and acquired a competency, which now enables him to lay aside all care and live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Northampton County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Northampton County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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