My Genealogy Hound

JAMES M. STUART, blacksmith, Casstown. Among the business men of Casstown, and one of the most prominent blacksmiths of the town, is James M. Stuart, who was born in Armstrong Co., Penn., March 21, 1834; he is a son of James and Hannah (Moore) Stuart, who were natives of Pennsylvania; the grandfather came from Scotland, and the grandmother was born in Pennsylvania, but her ancestry also came from Scotland. James and Hannah were parents of nine children, of whom five are living—William J., living in Sharon, Penn.; David P., of Clarion, Penn.; John G., of Shelby Co., Mo.; Alexander S. and James M. The parents lived and died in Pennsylvania; the mother dying when James was only two years of age, but the father still kept house and took care of his children, till James was twelve years of age, when he was placed with his married sister, with whom he lived till sixteen years of age; at this age he went to learn the blacksmith’s trade with Henry Crumb, of Kittanning, Penn., where he served, an apprenticeship of four years; thence came to Ohio, located in Brown Township, this county, and carried on his trade one year; then worked as a journeyman for one year; tried farming for five years. May 16, 1859, was united in marriage with Frances W. Roberts, daughter of Israel and Elizabeth Roberts, natives of Pennsylvania; by this union they have had eight children, of whom six are now living, viz., Alice E., Charles C., Mary M., Effie J., Lee and Bessie B. After Mr. Stuart’s five years of farming had expired, he again went to his trade, which he followed about one year; Aug. 5, 1862, he enlisted in the 94th O. V. I. and served through the war, being with Gen. Sherman in his raid through the South; was in the battles. of Perrysville, Ky., Stone River, Tenn., Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, and Resaca; at the latter place his regiment lost every fifth man, being a very severe engagement; was also at the siege of Atlanta and in other battles; his life was spared, and at the close of the war he was permitted to return to his home and friends. He then located in Addison, Champaign Co., Ohio, where he worked at his trade two years; thence came to Casstown, where he has carried on business to the present time; he has been in business here thirteen years, has a good run of custom and is doing well. Mr. Stuart is a member of the Baptist Church, his membership covering a period of twenty-two years.