Harriet Elizabeth (Roberts) Stewart
Decatur County Journal
Thursday, April 22, 1915
Harriet Elizabeth Roberts was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, March 28, 1827, and died at her home on the old historic farm just northeast of Leon, April 6, 1915, aged 88 years, and 10 days.
In her early childhood she moved with her parents to Andrew County, Missouri. On August 27, 1843, she was married to Peter C. Stewart. In 1851 they moved to Center Township, Decatur County, Iowa, where she spent the remainder of her life, living for over fifty years on the same place.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were born thirteen children, seven boys and six girls, they are: Mrs. Martha McEvoy, Mrs. John Muse, of Leon, Mrs. Elizabeth Detrick, of Leon, Mrs. Sarah Parker, of Davis City, Mrs. Clara Sanger, of Leon, James F. Stewart, of Leon, and Ervin Stewart, of Leon. John Stewart, of Eskdale, Colorado and Harvey Stewart, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, were unable to be present.
Mrs. Stewart united with the Baptist Church in Leon in 1858. Her faith, like so many of those early pioneers, was of that rugged type, sterling and true. For many years, particularly since the departure of her devoted companion, she had been confined closely to her home, and in this quiet but lonesome retreat she has passed much time in reading her Bible and contemplating the fruition of her cherished hopes of eternal reward and rest. No pains were spared by those who ministered to her in her last hours and she often expressed a desire to go home and be at peace.
The funeral services were held from the home Thursday, April the 8th, at 11:00 o'clock, there being a large assembly of friends and neighbors besides the relatives to pay their last mark of respect and love that she enjoyed from every one. Rev. James W. Johnson, of the Leon Christian Church preached the sermon, using the words that had been for years her solace and stay, "Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."
The body was lovingly laid to rest in the Leon Cemetery beside that of her loved helpmeet of so many years.