James A. STUART, b. 1831

James A. Stuart, living on section 4, White Oak township, owns and controls a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres and is classed with the representative and prosperous farmers of his community. He has been a resident of this county since 1852, and is therefore one of its pioneer settlers, having for more than a half century witnessed its growth and aided in its development, neglecting no duty of citizenship. He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Logan county, November 20, 1831. His father, James Stuart, was also born and reared in Ohio and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Hanger, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of John Hanger, who was likewise born in the Old Dominion, settling in Logan county, Ohio, at an early day. James Stuart, Sr., was a son of Thomas Stuart, a pioneer of the Buckeye state, dating his residence from the early days when the Indians constituted a large part of its population. In Logan county James Stuart, Sr., followed the occupation of farming and reared his family of ten children. He lived to the age of sixty-six years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five years. In his business he prospered as the years went by and built one of the fine homes of his adopted state. James A. Stuart was the eldest son of his father's family, and was reared upon the old home farm, attending the common schools, while in the summer months he assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When he was twenty years of age he came to Iowa and bought land, and the next year he took up his abode upon this property. He first invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land, which now constitutes the old homestead farm. Mr. Stuart was married in Logan county, Ohio, in July, 1852, to Miss Hawley, but they were soon separated by death, Mrs. Stuart passing away on the 25th of April, 1853. On coming to Iowa Mr. Stuart began to farm and improve his property and built thereon a cabin home. In the second year thereafter, in the spring of 1854, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Harris, a native of Keokuk county, Iowa, and unto them have been born six children, of whom three are living, the eldest being Elizabeth, the widow of Arthur Goodspeed, who died March 15, 1906; Cora, of Oskaloosa; and Emma, the wife of L. S. Gable, of White Oak township. The mother of these children passed away and Mr. Stuart was afterward married again, at which time Mary Feaster became his wife. She is a native of Iowa and a daughter of Hezekiah Feaster, who was born in Indiana. This union was blessed with three children, but two died in infancy, Lewis being the only one now surviving. Since the death of his third wife Mr. Stuart has made his home with his son Lewis, who lives upon the old home farm. On coming to this county, Mr. Stuart resolutely began the work of developing and improving the property and from time to time he bought more land until he owned two hundred and eighty acres all of which is well improved and valuable. He also built a good two-story house in 1870, has good barns upon his place and substantial outbuildings, and altogether the farm is a valuable one equipped with modern equipments. He has deeded to his son Lewis ninety-five acres of the old homestead, and he makes his home with this son. Lewis Stuart was married February 27, 1896, to Miss Stella Moore, a native of Mahaska county, Iowa, and a daughter of Harvey Moore, of White Oak township. They have one child, Eva. Mr. Stuart is one of the oldest and most prominent farmers and residents of White Oak township. He is now in his seventy-fifth year and has led a life of activity and usefulness, in which his earnest labor has been crowned with prosperity. He is a Master Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Rose Hill and politically he has been a lifelong republican. He espoused the cause of the party when it was somewhat unpopular to do so, and he cast his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont, since which time he has supported each presidential nominee at the head of the ticket. He was for two years on the county board of commissioners, now called the board of supervisors, but he has never sought nor cared for office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests. Great changes have occurred since he came to this county, pioneer conditions have given way before an advancing civilization. The little cabin home has been replaced by a substantial farm residence, crude machinery of the early days has been supplanted by the improved farm implements of the present and in all the work of progress Mr. Stuart has been interested and has kept in touch with the trend of modern events.

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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906

Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy

Iowa Genealogy

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