Hamilton R Stewart Biography - Livingston County Illinois Genealogy & History

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Hamilton R Stewart
Biography
Livingston County, Illinois

(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

Hamilton R. Stewart, who for the last fifteen years has successfully operated the farm of B. M. Stoddard on section 8, Avoca township, Livingston county, was born in county Derry, Ireland, June 4, 1854, and is the oldest child of William and Mary A. (McLaughlin) Stewart, also natives of county Derry, where the father successfully engaged in farming from early manhood until his death in 1868. Subsequently his widow came to America with her family of five sons and one daughter, namely: Hamilton R., the subject of this sketch; Joseph, a farmer, who died in Iowa ; Samuel, a resident of Avoca township; William, a laborer of Ogden, Iowa; John, deceased: and Hannah, wife of William Scott, who lives near Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois. On their emigration to America the family located in Lexington, Illinois, where they made their home for four years, and in 1872 moved to La Salle county, where the following two years were passed, coming to Livingston county at the end of that time. While in Lexington the mother married Thomas Clinton. by whom she had one son. Thomas E., now a school teacher in Swygart, Illinois. Her second husband died in Livingston county and she is now living with our subject at the age of sixty-seven years.
Hamilton R. Stewart commenced his education in the common schools of his native land. and after coming to America, at the age of fourteen years, attended school in Lexington, Illinois, for a short time. Being the oldest of the family he had to go to work on a farm that he might aid in their support, and lived at home until twenty-two. While in La Salle county he worked in a coal mine in Streator for two years. In 1876 he left home and was employed as a farm hand about five years, at the end of which time he rented land and embarked in farming on his own account.
In 1883 Mr. Stewart married Miss Jane Blair. who was born in Tazewell county, this state, in 1862. Her parents, William and Mary (Gillian) Blair, both natives of Ireland, located in Tazewell county on their emigration to the United States, and after residing there for a few years moved to McLean county, where they now make their home. The father is a successful farmer. In the family were seven children, namely: Thomas, a farmer of McLean county ; Jane, wife of our subject ; David, a prosperous farmer of McLean county; Annie, wife of H. Gillian, of the same county; William. also a resident of McLean county ; and Lydia and Addie, both at home. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, one died in infancy. The others are as follows; William J. and Mabel M.. who passed the central school examinations at the ages of fifteen and thirteen years respectively, being the youngest who ever passed from their school, and standing high in rank in a class of forty; Minnie P.. Litta G., Ira J.. Hamilton G., Geneveive and Morris M. The parents are giving their children the best possible educational advantages.
After his marriage Mr. Stewart located en a farm in McLean county, where he successfully engaged in general farming for two years, and in 1885 moved to the farm of two hundred acres in Avoca township, Livingston county, where he now resides. He is a conscientious man. upright and honorable in all his dealings, as is shown by his remaining on one farm so long. During his residence here he has been prominently identified with local politics. He was justice of the peace five years, school trustee six years and assessor two years, being re-elected for a third term, and serving in each office to the best of his ability and for the interests of the people he represents. He is a man who does not draw party lines in local affairs, but supports those whom he believes best qualified to fill the positions, regardless of party affiliations. For the past twelve years in national elections he has supported the nominees of the Prohibition party and at present is township committeeman of that party. Socially he is a member of Fairbury Camp. No. 6, M. W. A., and religiously is a member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and Sunday school, serving as a member of the board of trustees for the past fourteen years. He is a genial gentleman, who is well liked by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
[The Biographical Record of Livingston County Illinois - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing, Company (1900)]

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