SELKIRK A. STEWART, farmer, section 14, Wheatland Tp., is a son of Neil and Angeline (Baker) Stewart, natives of New york, and of Scotch and Irish descent. He was born in Genesee County, N.Y., Sept. 14, 1826. He commenced a life of active toil at the age of 11 years, leaving the homestead of his parents and engaging in the cpacity of a farm laborer. He continued to work in various localities, until the spring of 1844, when he went to Waukesha Co. Wis., and there engaged in agriculture in a similar manner until his mariage, Nov. 5, 1851, in Waukesha County, to Angeline H., daughter of Isaac and Jeusha (Estabrooks) Wood, who ws born in Genesee Co., N.Y., Dec. 5, 1832, and went to Wisconsin with her paents when she was eight years old. The latter were natives of the Empire State. Mr. Stewart took farms on shares, until the fall of 1862, when he removed with his family to Michigan, and purchased 240 acres of land on sec. 26, Wheatland Tp. He made considerable progress in improving his land, but sold it finally, and bought the homestead, consisting of 160 acres, where he has since resided. Seventy-five acres of this he has improved, and has one of the best of farms as to quality of the land, etc., in Mecosta County. It is traversed by a stream of flowing water, fed by living springs. Mr. Stewart is making preparations to build a new house, and expects to invest about $1,000 therin. He is a Republican in political faith; has been Township Treasurer three years, Justice of the Peace three years, and held other minor offices.
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have been the parents of four children - Clara A., born Feb. 2, 1853; Cora E., July 31, 1855; Mary F., born July 28, 1860, died Feb, 31, 1874 (sic); Ida A., born Oct. 31, 1866, died Oct. 7, 1879; Edward H. (son by adoption) was born Aug. 2, 1869, and died Sept. 14, 1879.
|
