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Below is a family biography included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. L. Stewart, freight conductor on the St, Louis & San Francisco Railroad, between Newburg and St. Louis, is a native of Adams County, Ohio, where he was born in 1849, being a son of J. M. and Martha J. (Ellis) Stewart, who were also natives of the “Buckeye State.” The father is still living, but the mother died when her son, J. L. was about ten months old. The latter grew to manhood on his father’s farm, and received his education in the common schools and the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, which institution he attended two and one-half years, graduating in 1865. He was then engaged in teaching the “young idea” for about five years, and served as superintendent of the Western Union public schools in the county of his birth. About 1872 he came to St. Louis, Mo., and worked as book-keeper for Alex. Repine for about two years. He then went to Vinita, Ind. Ter., and took charge of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail way Company’s yards, and with the exception of three years, from 1883 to 1886, has been in the employ of that company ever since in various capacities, but principally as yard master. By his industry and good management he has become the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres, and is considered by all to be an enterprising and successful business man. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Honor, and is a, Knights Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and belonging to St. Louis Commandery No. 1. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and October 10, 1880, was married at Rolla to Miss Susan Cansler, who was born in Tennessee, and came with her parents, Nathaniel and Martha Cansler, to Rolla. Here they both died. The father was a carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two little children. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Methodist Church.

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This family biography is one of 71 biographies included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Phelps County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Phelps County, Missouri family biographies, click here

To view a map of Phelps County, Missouri: Phelps County, Missouri Map

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