The Somerset reporter., 1901-10-03
Death of Hiram ). Steward.

!
Hiram Swain Steward, Que OF Show
hegan's prominent citizens and sterling
| business men, died at his home on Mad
ison Avenue, Saturday last, September
28th. after an illness that confined him
to his house of little over three weeks
duration, aged IA years. In early life
he was of robust health and stood many
hardships but of recent years his health
had been considerably impaired, es-
pecially SO since an attack of pneumonia
about three years ago. Friday, Sept. 9,
he was Frustrated by what seemed at
the time a sun stroke from which he
appeared to be recovering favorably but
week later suffered paralytic shock,
after which he steadily failed until
death came
Hiram S. Steward was the son of Jo-
siah and Nancy webb Steward, born
August 7, 1927, in this town. On both
the paternal and maternal sides he came
of long lines of New England ancestry.
He acquired his early education in
Skowhegan schools. He learned car.
riage- making with Thomas c. Ross of
this town. In 1S49 he went to Califor
mia, going around 1.-THE Horn in a sail
ing vessel. While there he worked at
his trade and at mining. Upon his re
turn in 1852, he engaged in the oil
cloth manufacture, being a pioneer in
that business in Skowhegan, with A. &
p. Coburn, S. D. Arnold, B. w. Norris
and Osgood Sawyer, under the firm
name, Norris, Coburn IL Co.
Mr.. Steward made another trip to
California in 1857, crossing the Isthmus
ON his way, and was engaged there in
sheep-raising for three years. Later he
located in Waterloo, Iowa, where he
followed sheep-raising and owned and
managed a grain elevator and flour
mill. He returned to Skowhegan III
1865 and conducted a wholesale flour
business until 1872 when he built the
Island Mills which were under his man
agement for % years and he was owner
of the property at death He was al
ways much interested in agriculture
and owned nice farm a mile or so out
of the village to which he gave attention
during the later years of his life.
In politics he was an earnest Repub-
lican. He represented his town IN the
House of Representatives at Augusta in
the two legislatures, 1870 and 1880. He
served on the board of selectmen and in
| 1880 WAS chairman of the board. He
WAS much interested in public affairs, "A
careful and sagacious business man who
contributed much to the industrial well
fare of the town.
Mr.. Steward was twice married In 1853
he married Miss Caroline, daughter of
Constantine and Cynthia White She died
in 1865 in Waterloo, Iowa. The second
wife, who survives him, was Miss Gym
thia White, sister of the first A son,
Frank r. Steward and daughter, Alice,
wife of VIM. b Steward, are children
by the first wife; a son, John w ,
and daughter, Mary A., wife of Ed
ward Heath of Wateryllle, are children
by the second. They are all living.
Funeral services were held at the
home on Madison Avenue, Tuesday
afternoon, October 1, conducted by Rev.
II. F. Huse, pastor of the First Baptist
Church, assisted by Rev. DR.. W. H..
spencer, pastor of Bethany Baptist
Church. Gen. Isaac Dyer, Chandler
: futile, Chandler Dow and Edw. W.
/ Marble officiated as bearers.
A large number of citizens attended
the services, attesting their respect and
honor for their townsman who held a
warm place in the hearts of our people