JACOB M. STEWART. The Stewart family are numbered with the leading pioneers of this county, and have ever been distinguished as successful, enterprising and popular citizens. Archibald Stewart was born in Ireland, and coming to America in early manood was married to Rebecca Reed, a native of Pennsylvania. They settled in Chartiers township, Washington county, where he followed farming and blacksmithing. Their children were: James R., Mary (wife of Samuel Griffith, of Hickory, Mt. Pleasant township, this county), Jane (deceased in 1883, wife of William S. White, of Canonsburg), Joseph (deceased in Illinois, where he was married), William (married and living in Villisca, Iowa), Margaret (deceased in 1872, wife of David Miller, of this county), Sarah (married to Andrew Miller, of Mt. Pleasant township), and John (deceased in 1886, in Donegal township, this county). The father died June 5, 1812. James R. Stewart was born in 1812, on the home farm in Chartiers township, where his widow is now living. He received a meager education in the district schools, then learned the blacksmith's trade of his father, which he afterward followed in connecting with farming. On May 23, 1839, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of Jacob Miller, who was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and there married to Jane Filston, also a native of eastern Pennsylvania. Soon after their marriage the young couple came to Washington county, locating near McConnell's Mills, in Chartiers township. Some years later they moved to the old Col. Robert Miller farm, where the following children were born: Rachel (wife of Thomas Sproat, living in South Strabane township), Mary (wife of Samuel McNary; both were twice married), Nancy (wife of John Boon), Jane (wife of Richard Sproat, in Ohio), Samuel (a wagonmaker of Hickory, Mt. Pleasant township), Catherine (wife of James McDowell, of Mt. Pleasant), Jacob (who married and moved to Ohio), Margaret (was married to John McDowell, of Mot. Pleasant township), Sophia, Robert W. (deceased in August 1891), Elizabeth T. (Mrs. James R. Stewart) and Sarah (unmarried). Of this family Mrs. Stewart is the only living member. The father was an active member of the Washington Presbyterian Church. In politics he voted with the Democratic party. After his marriage, James R. Stewart settled on the home farm, where his widow is yet living, and continued to follow his trade in addition to farm work. He was actively interested in religious work, he and his wife being earnest memers of the Chartiers Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church. In politics he voted the Republican ticket. Mr. Stewart died May 22, 1880, mourned by the many friends who knew and valued his sterling worth. He left a widow and two children: Rebecca and Jacob M. Rebecca Stewart was born on the home farm in Chartiers township, and on October 20, 1864, was married to William H. Thompson, a native of Canonsburg. He was born May 17, 1837, and is the eldest son of Joseph Thompson, who married Emily Gabby, and lived near Canonsburg until his death. William H. and Rebecca (Stewart) Thompson settled in Canonsburg after their marriage, where he followed his trade of wagon-making, finally moving to the farm. He was an active worker in the Republican party, and in religious faith a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg. He died February 1, 1873. Mrs. Thompson is living on the home place. She has had five children, viz.: James Stewart, born February 10, 1867; Joseph (a graduate of Duff's Commercial College, Pittsburgh, Penn.), born January 30, 1869; Elizabeth Emma, born December 8, 1872 (deceased in infancy); Millie R., born February 26, 1872, and an infant who died in 1871. The mother has given her children the advantages of a good education. Mrs. Stewart is a worthy representative of her family, which has been one of the earliest in the county, and is ever ready to aid in any enterprise to promote the public welfare. Jacob M. Stewart was born September 28, 1842, on the home farm in Chartiers township, and attended school in District No. 3, Chartiers township, and after leaving school assisted in clearing and improving the home place. On May 28, 1861, he was united in marriage with Rebecca J., daughter of Rev. John Todd, who was born near Green Garden, Beaver Co., Penn., and was married in Canonsburg, Washington county, to Rebecca Thompson, a native of Canonsburg. He was a minister of the United Presbyterian Church, and first settled in Jefferson county, Penn., but afterward moved to Washington, Iowa, thence to Burgettstown, Penn., where he and his wife died. To Jacob M. and Rebecca J. Stewart five children were born, viz.: Blanche L., Frank L., Grace Mabel, Edith Rebecca and Myrtle May. The mother of this family died March 9, 1879, and December 28, 1881, Mr. Stewart was married, at Hickory, this county, to Lizzie J., daughter of John and Jemima (Buchanan) Grounds, natives of this county. Both parents are yet living in Hickory, this county, and the father has passed his ninetieth birthday. Mr. Stewart received 133 acres from the paternal estate, and he has added 110 acres to the original tract, making a good farm, which is well stocked, and improved with all necessary buildings, the handsome brick residence having been erected before the death of his father. Jacob Stewart votes the Prohibition ticket, and has served as a member of the school board, and in various offices of trust. He and his wife are members of the U. P. Church at Hickory, of which he is an elder.

Text taken from page 398 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Marilyn K. MacKendrick of N. Charleston, SC as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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