JOHN W. STEWART. This enterprising, representative citizen of Buffalo township is a grandson of Thomas Stewart, a native of Ireland, who in early manhood immigrated to America, making his permanent home in Washington county, Penn., where he became one of the most prosperous and highly respected farmer citizens of Donegal township. John Welch Stewart, father of the subject of this sketch, was born April 1, 1806, in Donegal township, near Claysville, Washington Co., Penn., and received an unusually good education for that period, although his earlier instruction was received in the traditional primitive log schoolhouse. He commenced life as a traveling salesman, carrying his goods by wagon, and selling them by wholesale to the retail dealers in the smaller towns. Afterward he rented a farm, commencing a successful agricultural career; later he resided near Washington, in Canton township, and in 1840 bought a farm in Buffalo township. He was married April 5, 1831, to Jane, daughter of William McCall (deceased), a native of Washington county, born December 20, 1808, and their family consisted of the following children: William M. born February 24, 1832, died November, 1862; Thomas, born December 27, 1833, living in New Jersey; Mary M., born February 2, 1836, died January 26, 1885; Robert, born June 23, 1837, a practicing physician in Allegheny county, Penn.; Jane, born September 11, 1841, deceased at the age of eight years; two that died in infancy; Anna M., born August 17, 1845, married to Samuel Wright, of Buffalo township; John W., and James M., the latter born January 25, 1850. The father died August 31, 1866, the mother February 13, 1885. John W. Stewart, son of John Welch and Jane (McCall) Stewart was born November 3, 1847, on his father's farm in Buffalo township, and received a good education at the common schools of his district. When his father died, John W. took charge of the home place of 217 acres, upon which he now resides. He was united in marriage October 11, 1877, with Maggie, daughter of R. S. Caldwell, of Hopewell township, this county, and they have three children: Robert Vance, born April 18, 1879; Irene, born January 31, 1883, and John Lloyd, born January 27, 1887. Mr. Stewart is one of the most successful and progressive farmers and stock raisers in Washington county, and grows annually a large amount of wool, having at the present time a fine flock of 300 sheep. He takes an active interest in politics as a member of the Republican party. He and his wife are both connected with the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 1364 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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