The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-07-09

principally upon the belief of the de-
ceased in his Heavenly Father.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Among the mountains of Argyle
shire, Scotland, Donald Stewart first
saw the light Of day. His birthday
was May LIST, 1885, and he was just
past 81 years of age, when he
passed out of this world into the great
beyond. Donald Stewart was one of
a family of eight children, three girls
and five boys, he being the second in
seniority of the boys. Archie Stewart,
who passed away at Ireton some time
ago, was the first. His father was of
the pure Scotch cast, Hugh Stewart,
by name, and his mother was Mrs.
Mclean Stewart, a sister of John Nc
Lean of Delhi, father to the Archie
and Dan Mclean of that place.
Donald Stewards eyes we're first
opened in this world while his parents
we're on farm. In those days educa-
tional facilities were scarce and the
children of poor people we're reared
with little or no education. That was
the fate of Donald Stewart. He work
ed hard from the time he was able to
lift hoe. At the age of 13 years he
went to herding cattle in the noun
tains of Scotland and continued as a
herdsman for several years, earning
his livelihood and contributing to the
support of his brothers and sisters.
When 10 years of age he bade farewell
to the country of his birth and with
his brother John, sailed for Canada.
In the Dominion he labored at odd
jobs until 1858, when the two brothers
went to Illinois where they continued
at the same work until year later
when they came to Minnesota and
Donald filed on homestead in Wa
basha county. Here be labored with
his brother, acquiring in year or two
money enough to pay the passage for
a couple of his relatives from Scotland
to this country. The crops raised
we're gathered with cradle, and Don
aid and John frequently recalled the
taking of the threshed grain up on
top of high hill in order that the
wind might blow the hull and dust
from the grain.
After the civil war broke out John,
Andrew and Donald Stewart and John
Cummings, all of whom had by that
time settled in Wabasha county, were
called into the army, Andrew volun-
teering. Donald Stewart and
John Cummings had families
and it was decided between the four
that Donald should remain at home
and care for the two families and the
other three with substitute for Don
aid responded to the call.
In 1871, Donald Stewart was desir-
Gus of getting more land in order that
he might have something for his
children when they grew up. He then
came to Redwood county and settled
upon the present Stewart homestead,
which has been steadily increased
from $50 acres to 1000 acres of owned
land and 400 acres of rented pasture
land. He was among the early set
tiers of Redwood county, lived through
the grasshopper period, kept up
courage characteristic of Scotchmen,
and under the insignia of "pay as you
go" came out victorious. From his
location here he has been conservative,
yet always willing and enthusiastic to
aid stable enterprises. He was chief
promoter in the agricultural society
and in the past and present creamery.
He was married to Miss Catharine
Watson of London, Canada, on July
1st, 1861, and as will be seen the acci-
dent by which he met death occurred
on the 35th anniversary of his we'd
ding. He was the father of eight
children, seven of whom are living,
three boys and four girls. All of the
children have passed into young man
and womanhood. His widow survives
him.