The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-03-04
LEWIS STEWARD.
Nominee for Governor,

LOWS Steward was born in Wayne County
Pa, near the present city OF scranton, Nov.
90, 1924. Is lincal descendant on his moth.
er side of John Rodgers the martyr. Is of
revolutionary stock on his fathers side, his
father, Marcus Aurciius Steward, was ma
i've of Connecticut, and died two years ago,
at Piano. Lewis is the eldest OF seven chill
dren, five of whom were boys, all OF whom
arc now in active business life, and men Of
hugh character and ability Lewis learned
his alphabet before he was 20 months old,
and attended school in a log school house one
mile from his home, before he was four years
Of age. A lady once met him on his way TO
school alone and carried him back to h's
home, being unable To believe that he was
out with the consent Of his parents while 50
young
He got very little schooling previous to his
parents removal TO Illinois, thirteen years af
ter his birth, being compelled 10 work in the
house at knitting, sewing and cooking, while
very young, and afterwards kept at work IN
the fields, blowing, &c. His grandfather
was an associate OF Daball, author OF the once
popular arithmetic, and once beat the author
in contest of figures. Mathematics came
easy to all his descendants, Lewis being at
home in any branch of that intricate science
In 1888 the Steward family moved to Hi.
vid Matock, now pastor of u church at St
Charles, Kane Co., lii. The claim covered
most OF the present site Of the village Of Pla-
no and included portion OF the magnificent
farm ana park now occupied by Mr.. Steward
1t 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 convention
at Chicago, last December, was the first wheat
that left the Chicago market tor the east Mr.
Steward worked ON his fathers farm and in
Lis saw mill, after coming to Illinois, till he
was . years of age; attended school but
few month, became, however, very proficient
in the common branches then taught, having
mastered Daball'S arithmetic in two months
at the age of Is years. He mastered survey.
ing, geometry, trigOnometry and other
branches of science without an instruction
while working in his fathers saw.mll.
AT the age Of seventeen he commenced the
study of law, upon the earnest solicitation of
the late Judge Helm, and became thoroughly
convcrSant with that entire course Of study,
while running the saw mill. Judge Helm
furnished him the books. lie was afterwards
admitted to the bar of Illinois, but never enter
cd upon the active practice OF his profession,
except when a friend would solicit HIM 10
help him out Of trouble. He always appear
ed for the Defence always succeeded in win
ming his case but never charged for his ser
vices. 1t has been said frequently by the
best LAWYERS he ever came IN contact with,
that he would have stood in the front rank of
the ablcst members of the bar, in this state,
had he made the practice of law Il lifcwork.
The Sycamore True Republican once SAID of
hiu, that he was one of the first I.en in the
state, having the brain of a philosopher and
the energy of q steam engine
Mr. Steward has managed his farms and
carried on his other extensive business affairs
with rare skill and success and now is one of
the wealthiest men in the state. lie has al.
ways prospered and has always been liberal
IN his benetactons. Hundreds of young men
have been 'set on their feet" by him, and his
home has always been open to the deserving,
whether of high or low degree. His money is
always free TO sustain schools, churches and
other commendable public enterprises
Mr. Steward was democrat previous to
the Rebellion, but entered into the prosecu.
ton of the war with great vgor and earnest
ness. He was ready TO assist in the equip
ment of soldiers, with his practical advice
and his means and he has no more earnest
friends in this country now than the soldier
boys
In 1882 he WAS appointed drafting com.
missioner for Kendall county by Gov. Yates
lie was elected supervisor from his town as
often as he could be induced to accept, al.
though the Republicans had q majority of
over four to one IN that township. He has
been impOrtuned for years to stand as q can
dida,e for the Legislature and for Congress,
but would not consent to be a candidate
though his election was assured.
lie is prominently one of the people in all
of his sympathes, acts and aspirations His
nomination came to him unsolicited and in
spite of the politicians, not one Of whom
worked to bring 1t about If elected he zoe.
into office untramelled and will be free to
carry out just such measures as will best
subserve the interest of the masses. While
he was connected with the manufacture Of
the Marsh Harvester he always tried to do
away with agencies that stood between the
manufacturer and farmer and 10 sell direct
to the latter, from the shops, and at great say.
ing to the purchasers. While he had a con.
trolling interest In the Plano shops he sold
machines $50 less than others, and would al.
most make new machine, by repairs on an
old one, without extra charge.
Dir. Stewards connection with railroads is
fully explained in his interview published in
the Chicago Times of Feb. 2lst and the pam
Dhlet 10 which he therein refers, being q
movement entirely in the interest of producer
and consumer and opposed &c the present
railroad monopolies.
MIR. Steward stands above reproach among
his neighbors and acquaintance without re-
spect 10 politics or ligiOn.-PriRcetoB Trt-
buHe.
Greenland Dogs.