JOHN ELLIOTT STEWART, a prosperous young farmer of Jefferson township, is a son of Robert Stewart. He traces his lineage back through the generations to one Lord Stewart, a peer of Scotland, who left his native land, and settled in "Foggy Hill," County Tyrone, Ireland. James Stewart (the great-grandfather of John Elliott) embarked with his family for America on the ship "Doras," which was boarded, while on the voyage, by a British man-of-war. All able-bodied men on the "Doras" were impressed into the English service, and Robert Stewart (a son of James), who was then eighteen years of age, was one of them. He served on a British man-of-war for several months, when he was released by strategy, his father having prevailed upon a young lady to claim him as her husband. The youth then joined his parents in Washington county, Penn., settling in Smith township, and soon after Robert Stewart was united in marriage with Ann McGough, also a native of Ireland. Six children were born to their union, namely: John, Elizabeth (Mrs. Kidd), Sarah, Robert, James and Andrew.
Robert Stewart was born May 21, 1824, in Washington county, Penn. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood and assisted in the farm duties during his boyhood. In 1852 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Elliott, who bore him three children, namely: John Elliott, born March 13, 1853; James, born November 25, 1855, and Robert, born February 26, 1858. The mother of this family died in 1858, and for his second wife Robert Stewart was married to Eliza Orr, of Irish descent who lived but a short time afterward. He was then married to Rebecca H., daughter of William Provines, a native of Ireland, who settled in Jefferson township. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of which her husband is an earnest supporter. In politics he has always been a counselor and advisor in the Democratic party, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
John Elliott Stewart was born on the farm where his father is now living, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, attending the common schools of the neighborhood during the winter months of his boyhood. He was united in marriage October 17, 1877, with Belle McKnight of Hickory, Washington county, daughter of William McKnight, a native of Ireland. One child came to this union, Leman E., born September 30, 1878, whose mother died November 7, 1879. After her death John Elliott Stewart made his home for a time with his father, and also traveled through the Western States. On his return home he married on September 8, 1885, Miss Flora Agnes, daughter of H. C. Anderson, a prominent farmer of Cross Creek township, and they have had one daughter, Roberta Vere, born August 16, 1888. Mr. Stewart is a great reader, and is specially interested in literature tending to impart information to the agricultural and laboring classes. He owns 140 acres of fine farming and grazing land, and is now deputy-master of Washington county for the State Grange of Pennsylvania. Although the son of an active member of the Democratic party, and himself favoring their platform, Mr. Stewart believes in voting for the man rather than the politician, regardless of party tenets. He has held several township offices and is very prominent in all matters of common interest to the community.
Text taken from page 596 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed July 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]