My Genealogy Hound

Francis M. Stewart. Among the prominent farmers of Marion Township, Polk County, Mo., stands the name of the above named gentleman, who was born in this county, August 12, 1838, and was reared to farm labor. His education was obtained in the old log school-house, and as a consequence was not of the best, but this he has aided materially by observation and reading. He was married August 4, 1858, to Miss Rebecca Zumwalt, who was born August 30, 1837, in Franklin County, Mo., and who is the daughter of Jesse Zumwalt. Eight children were the result of this union: John W., Jesse T., Francis M., Augustus S., James V., Richard E., Effie F. and Sidney H. In June, 1862, Mr. Stewart enlisted in Company A, of Elliott’s Battalion, Confederate Army, and served until July, 1865. He was in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena, Cape Girardeau, Cane Hill, Little Rock and Jefferson City. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, although he was in many tight places, but was fortunate enough to escape without either of the occurrences happening. After the war Mr. Stewart lived three years in Moniteau County, and in 1868 he came back to Polk County, Mo., and located on the farm where he now lives, which consists of 328 acres, with about ninety acres under cultivation. He had accumulated some property before the war, but when he returned from the service all had been destroyed, and he was obliged to commence at the beginning. His parents, Evan and Nancy B. (Jenkins) Stewart, were both reared in Tennessee, where they remained until 1836, and then came to this State. The father followed tilling the soil all his life, though for about twenty years he drove stock south to Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. He was a soldier of 1812, and now draws a pension, as he is still living, and is about ninety-three years of age. He is a Democrat in his political views. He accumulated a large fortune before the war, but during that stirring period lost lands, stock, negroes, etc. The mother was a member of the Baptist Church, and was the mother of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters. Six of the sons enlisted in the Confederate army. After the death of the mother, which occurred in 1865, Mr. Stewart married Mrs. Melvina Bridges nee Todd. Grandfather Jenkins was a Revolutionary soldier.