The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-28
LEWIS STEWARD.
Our Candidate for Governor.

Our Candidate Tor NoVernOr.
Lewis Steward was born in Wayne
County, Pa, near the present city of Scran-
ton, Nov. 20, 1924. Is lineal descen-
ant on his mothers side Of John Rodgers,
the martyr. Is Of revolutionary
stock on his fathers side, his father,
Marcus Aurlicus Steward, was a ma
tive of Connecticut. aud died two years
ago at Piano. Lewis is the eldest of seven
children, FIVE of whom were boys, all OF
whom are now in active business life, and
men Of high character and ability. Lewis
learned his alphabet before he was 20
months old, and attended school in a log
school house oae mile from his home, be-
fore he was four years Of age. A lady
once met him on his way to school alone
and carried him back to his home, being
unable to believe that he was out with
tho consent of his parents, while so young.
He got very little schooling previous to
his parents removal to Illinois, thirteen
years after his birth, being compelled to
work IN the house at knitting, sewing, and
cooking, while very young, and afterwards
kept in the fields blowing, etc. His
grandfather was an associate OF Daball,
author Of the once popular arithmetic, and
once beat the author in contest OF fg-
uers Mathematics came easy to all OF his
descendants, Lewis being at home in any
branch of that intricate science.
In 1888 the Steward family moved to
Illinois, where the father bought claim
of David Matlock, now pastor OF church
at st. Charles, Kane Co., I'll. The claim
covered most of tie present site of the vii
lage of Plano and included portion of the
magnificent farm and park now occupied
by Mr.. Steward. It was on this farm that
the wheat was raised which Mr.. Steward
helped TO stack and haul to Chicago, and
which, he said, in his speech before the
cheap transportation committee, a
Chicago, last December was the frs
wheat that left the Chicago market tor thu
east. Mr.. Steward worked on his father
farm and in his saw-mil, after coming Il
Illinois, till he was II years Of age; at
tended school but few months; became
however, very proficient in the common
branches then taught, having mastered
Daballs arithmetic in two months at tn,
age Of Is years. He mastered surveying
geometry, trigonometry and other brauche
of science without an instructor Will
working in his father saw-mill
w. AT the age OF seventeen he Commences
the study OF law, upon the earnest solicita
ton of the late Judge Helm, and becam
thoroughly conversant with that entir
course Of study, while running the saw
mill, Judge Helm furnished him tn
books. He was afterwards admitted t
the bar Of Illinois, but never entered upo
the active practice Of his profession, ex
cept when friend would solicit him t
help him out Of the trouble. He Away
appeared for the defence. always succeede
in winning his case, but never charged 70
his services. Ii has been said frequcEtl
by the best lawyers he ever came IN cor
tact with, that he would have stood in tn
front rank of the ablest members of tn
bar, in this state, had he made the prat
tice liiework. The Sycamore True Rt
publican once said Of him that he wa
one of the first men in the state, hayin
the brain Of philosopher and the euerg
Of steam engine.
Mr. Steward has managed his farms an
carried on his other extensive busiue.
affairs with rare skill and success and no
is one Of the weathiest men in the stst
He has always prOspered and has alwal
been liberal in his benefactions. Hundred
Of young men have been set on the
feet by him and his home has alway
been open TO welcome the deserving
whether o? nigh or low degree. II
money is always free to sustain school
churches and other comm udable publ
enterprises
Mr. Steward was a Democrat previol
to the rebellion, but entered into Il
war with great vigor and earnestness. II
was ready TO assist in the equipment
soldiers, with his practical advice and h
means and he has no more earnest FRIEND
in this country now than the soldier boy
In 1862 he was appointed drafting con
missioner for Kendall county by Go
Yates. He was elected supervisor frol
his town as often as he could be induce
to accept, although the Republicans had
majority of over four to one in that tCwi
ship. He has been importuned for veal
to stand as a candidate for the legislatul
and for congress, but would not consent
be a candidate, though his election WI
assured
He is prominently one Of the people
all OF his sympathiCs, acts and aspiration
His nomination came 10 him unsolicite
and in spite of the politicians. not one
whom worked to bring it about IF cleo
ed nc goes into Office untrammeled an
will be free to carry out just such meas
ures as will best subserve the interest {
the masses. While he was conneete
with the manufacture Of the Marsh Ha,
vester he alw" vs. tried to do away wit
agencies that stood between the manufac
urer aud farmer and to sell direct to tt
latter, from the shops, anda a great sayiu
TO the purchasers. While he had COZ
trolling interest in the Plano shops he sol
machines $50 less than others, aud woul
almost make new machine, by repairs Q
an old one, without extra charge.
Mr.. Stewards connection with railroad
is fully explained in his interview publish
ed in the Chicago Times of Feb. DIST an
the pamphlet to which he therein refer
being movement entirely in the iutere
of producer and consumer and opposed
the present railroad monopolics.
Mr.. Steward stands above reproac
among his DeighbJrs and acquaintance
without respect to politics or religion,