John Stewart, Elburn, Ill., b. 1825, New Brunswick
The Valley Chronicle, St. Charles, Ill, June 9, 1898
Representative from Kane
Hon. John Stewart of Elburn - A short sketch
The Geneva Republican has the following to say, relative to Hon. John Stewart of Elburn, who is one of the Republican nominees for the 41 General Assembly from this district:
One of the most prominent, wealthy and influential citizens of Kane county, was born in Frederickton, New Brunswick, August 10, 1825, of Scotch parentage.
His father Thomas Stewart, was born in Inverkip, Renfrewshire, Scotland, in December, 1797, coming to N.B. in April, 1823, where he was married in 1824 to Jane Moody, who was born in Ayre, Scotland, in December, 1796.
To them were born six children. They removed to Kane County, Ill., in 1851, settling upon a farm in Campton township, where they passed the remainder of their lives, she dying in '69, he in '72.
John Stewart remained on the farm until 22, receiving such education as the country schools then afforded; farm labor, though, occupied most of his time.
In 1848 he first came to St. Charles, remaining 3 months, then going to Marathan county, Wis., where he with his brother Alex., engaged in the lumbering business and today has large interests there and in lumber yards all over the west.
Purchasing land in Campton township, he made that his family home and prospered in business affairs both there and in Wisconsin to an unusual degree. He was married at Erie, Penn., Oct. 20, 1857, to Martha A. Thomas.
To them have been born five children. Thomas B., who resides on the homestead and is clerk in the St. Charles bank, Eliza, now Mrs. Dr. Watson of Aurora, Mary, who died in '66, and Mattie and Nellie who reside at home.
In 1886 he removed to Elburn, though his new residence, one of the prettiest and finest in Kane county, is just over the village line in Campton.
His magnificent farm of 800 acres is situated 2 miles north of Elburn; 200 acres of this is timberland. His farm is known as one of the best cultivated in Kane county.
He is a stockholder in the Aurora cotton mills, owns a share of the bank and considerable real estate at St. Charles. It is said that when he came to Illinois in '48, he walked a portion of the way to save his little pocket money.
Not aware that he possessed any of the elements of a politician, in 1884 the people elected him to the state legislature, where he was one of the Spartan band that succeeded in electing Gen. J. A. Logan to the United States senate.
He was re-elected and the second term was chairman of the committee on claims, and also a member of the appropriation, public charity and penitentiary committees.
John Stewart has done more and given more substantial aid to his town and community than any other three men, and said less about it, too. No man in Kane county stands higher in the estimation of the people. He will be her next representative in the lower house.
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Posted as a courtesy. I am not related to nor researching this family.