Biography - Robert N. Stewardson
ROBERT N. STEWARDSON. However composite our nation may be, the fact that
we are an English speaking people will ever remind us that England is our
mother country and that aside from the consanguinity that naturally binds us
to England and English people, we as a nation, owe more than perhaps we are
willing to confess, to English laws and government for the form of our own
Government, free and independent as it is. The sterling qualities invariably
found in the agricultural classes of English people, meet a ready
recognition in this country. Our subject is by parentage English, although
he is a native of this country. His father was the late Robert Stewardson,
who was born in Westmoreland County, England, and his mother was Miss
Elizabeth L. Douthit. The parents of Elizabeth Douthit Stewardson were John
and Margaret (Elliott) Douthit, who died in Shelbyville Township. They were
the parents of two sons and five daughters, and of these Mrs. Elizabeth L.
Stewardson was the sixth child in order of birth, and was born in Tennessee,
July 20, 1825. She was married to Robert Stewardson in Shelbyville Township,
December 5, 1848.
Robert Stewardson, Sr., died in Richland Township, this county, September
11, 1858. He was the father of three children, namely: William, Robert N.
and Mary E. Two children died in infancy. The old gentleman took an active
part in local affairs. He served as Deputy Sheriff of Shelby County for two
years. In his religious connections he was a member of the Church of
England, Our subject, Robert N. is the second son born to parents. He first
saw the light of day in Richland Township, Shelby County, July 26, 1855.
Young Robert was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Richland
Township, and there he early learned the work incident to a farmer's life.
He was educated in the common schools of the district, and there his native
quickness and perception enabled him to gain a good and practical knowledge
of books and an insight into the sciences, that has been of great service to
him in his career. He has always followed the calling of farming, although
in July, 1885, he erected buildings for tile work. These he has built upon
his farm and here he manufactures quite extensively in connection with his
farm. He also owns and operates a sawmill.
The original of our sketch has in his farm, one hundred and fifteen acres of
land and upon this tract, which is delightfully located, valuable
improvements have been placed. He was married in Richland Township, April 8,
1875, his bride being Miss Susan J. Hawk, and by her he has had two children
whose names are respectively, Walter C. and Myrtie. Myrtie died when two
years old. Mrs. Susan J. Stewardson bade a last and long farewell to her
husband in Richland Township, April 8, 1882. The sense of pain in thus being
left by one to whom he was united by the nearest and dearest ties was
infinite and keen.
After some years he married a daughter of Fred and Mary Kircher. She was
born in Shelby County, January 3, 1858. One child, a daughter, whose name is
Ray, is the fruit of this marriage. Politically our subject has joined his
influence with the progressive young party whose most intimate mission is
the purifying of society. He is a member of the Prohibition party. Mrs.
Stewardson is united with the Lutheran Church, in which she is a good and
efficient worker. Our subject is an energetic and progressive business man
to whose activity and ambition the people of Richland Township owe much.
Extracted 26 May 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 534-535.
