Steward - John
Source: The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1903, pages 319-323
Transcribed by Denise Wells
John L. Steward
John L. Steward, deceased, was for about thirty years an honored and highly respected citizen of Vermilion county, having arrived here in 1851, at which time he located on a tract of wild prairie land in Newell township, twelve miles northeast of Danville. He was born on the 13th of July, 1816, in Broome county, New York, of which state his parents, John and Catherine (Catlin) Steward, were also natives. From there they removed to Fountain county, Indiana, where the father purchased land and engaged in its cultivation throughout the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife died in that county.
The primary education of our subject was obtained in the common schools of Broome county, New York, and he continued his studies in the public schools of Fountain county, Indiana, after the removal of the family to that state. As soon s old enough to be of any assistance he commenced to aid his father in the operation of the farm and was thus employed until his marriage, which important event in his life occurred on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1840, Miss Mary E. Johnson becoming his wife.
Mrs. Steward was born in Jackson county, Ohio, June 25, 1822, and is a daughter of Richard and Milbry (Graves) Johnson, the former a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, born in 1793, and the latter of Chatham county, North Carolina. The father, who was an old tavern keeper, removed to Lafayette, Indiana, at a very early day when Indians were still numerous in that locality and when the present flourishing city of Lafayette contained but four houses, [sic] There he took charge of a hotel, known as the Seven Stars and continued to carry it on until his death, which occurred in 1830. In his family were seven children, three of whom are still living, as follows: Harvey, who married Amanda Sewell, now deceased, is a retired farmer and land owner residing in Bismarck, this county. Mary E. is the widow of our subject. Colonel Henderson Johnson married Susan Goodlow, of Kentucky, and is now living retired in Danville. He is one of the leading citizens of the place. Those of the family now deceased are Margaret Jane, James Clay, Josephine and William R.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Steward were bon twelve children, namely: Harvey J., deceased, served all through the Civil war as a member of Company B, One hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Ella is the wife of Frank Gordon, a farmer of the state of Oregon; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Martin Barker, now an officer in the Soldiers’ Home in Danville; William died at the age of eighteen years; John H. married Belle Pierce and is now a retired farmer living at Hoopeston, this county; Amanda is the wife of J. H. Henderson, a grocer of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Laura is the wife of Henry Peters, who holds a position in a lumberyard in Danville; Lizzie died at the age of twenty-four years; Sue is the wife of C. A. Parsons, a leading photographer of Danville, by whom she has two children: Harry, born November 9, 1886, and Edward, born October 21, 1893, and they make their home with Mrs. Steward; Annie is the wife of William C. Thompson, ex-county treasurer of Vermilion county; Bert L. married Alecia Jones and resides in Danville, Illinois; and Emma died young.
After his marriage Mr. Steward continued to engage in farming in Fountain county, Indiana, until 1852, when he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and settled on what was known as Grand Prairie in Newell township, twelve miles northeast of Danville, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and sixty acres. He made many improvements upon that place and there successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising until 1879, when on account of ill health he sold his property and went west, locating on a farm near Portland, Oregon, where he spent three years. At the end of that time sickness again caused him to change location and he returned to Vermilion county, purchasing property near the village of Bismarck, where he lived until called to his final rest on the 1st of October, 1882. He held several minor offices while residing in Newell township, such as road overseer, school director, etc., and was accounted one of the valued and representative citizens of his community. His political support was given the Democratic party, and having always been a great reader he was well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day. At his death he left many friends to mourn his loss as he was a very popular and prominent citizen of the community in which he lived.
After her husband’s death Mrs. Steward continued to make her home in Bismarck for two years, and then, disposing of her property there, she removed to Danville, where she bought a lot and erected her present residence at No. 119 East Madison street. She also owns other property on the same street. She is a most estimable lady, who has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and is a consistent member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Danville.