General Notes

BIOGRAPHY: George W. Stewart, whose farm in Sections 5 and 6, Turtle Lake Township
shows evidences of thrift and prosperity, has been a resident of Barron
County for more than 30 years and during that time has taken a worthy part
in its material development. He was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania,
Aug. 7, 1865, son of John and Minerva (Owrey) Stewart, who were natives of
that state. When he was four years old his father died and two years later
he accompanied his mother to eastern Iowa, where he resided until the age
of thirteen, in the meanwhile attending common school. Then, in 1878, he
went with his mother to Balsam Lake, Wis., in which vicinity they settled
on a farm. Their residence there, however, was of short duration, as in the
following year, 1879, they came to Barron County. George was now fourteen
and soon began working in lumber mills, an occupation in which he continued
for several years. In 1885 he started on an independent career by purchasing
40 acres of wild land in Turtle Lake Township, which tract he subsequently
cleared, also erecting on it a fairly good set of buildings. After thus
developing it into a farm he sold it in 1909 and bought his present farm in
Sections 5 and 6, which was then partly improved, being provided with a
frame house and log barn. He has 55 acres now under cultivation and has
added to the general improvement by erecting a good frame barn, a granary
and a stave silo. As a dairyman he milks 17 cows, and has besides eight head
of young cattle.  His equipment corresponds to the rest of the property,
being adequate and including a Ford auto car. For the past 26 years Mr.
Stewart has been a member of Sunnybrook school board. His political
principles align him with the Republican party, while he affiliates
religiously with the United Brethren Church of Turtle Lake. Fraternally, he
belongs to Camp 2115, M. W. A., and to Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. 328, of this
township. Mr. Stewart was married in June, 1886, to Josephine Laundree, who
was born at Apple River, Wis., July 18, 1864, daughter of Joseph and Madeline
Laundree. He and his wife have one child, Lillian May, who was born April 14,
1905.