FUNERAL OF JAMES S, STEWART

The funeral of James S. Stewart last Saturday was perhaps more numerously attended than any other funeral ever held in Blair. Friends and acquaintances of the deceased came from near and far to pay their respects at his obsequies. The Masonic order had charge of the services. The floral offerings were varied and profuse and an appropriate discourse was delivered by Rev. Sheppard pastor of the Baptist church. About 100 carriages formed the funeral cortege and followed the remaining to their last resting place in the Blair cemetery. The attendance was noted for the large number of early settlers who were present, and among them were the following named very early settlers who were citizens and residents of the territory as was the deceased previous to 1860: E: H. Clark, J. S. Riddler. J. F. Wiseman, David Neale, Alex Carter, Jacob Carter, Ed Pilcher, R. E. Roberts, Jesse T. Davis, Alonzo Perkins, Periy Selden, Rice Arnold, F. M. Castetter, Chas. Selleck, J. B. Kouny, T. C. Hungate, J. C. Lippincott, J. W. Newell, Al Brewster, besides numerous ladies, members of families of the above named who were here in the early days.

James S. Stewart was born at Maysville, Kentucky, May 14, 1823.He was one of a family of seven children, of which four sisters and one brother are still alive, one of the sisters being Mrs. J. F. Wiseman, of Blair. When nearing mang-estate he went to Salem, Ind., where at the age of 20 years or on Sept. 22, 1844, he was married to Mary A Hungate, the estimable wife and mother who shared his joys and sorrows for forty-eight years and who was called away by death Dec. 30, 1890. From their marriage until the spring of 1856 they continued to reside at Salem, Ind., where was born to them three of their seven children- the three daughters, two of whom are now dead.

In the spring of 1856, with his little family, Mr Stewart came to Nebraska, and located on the old farm adjoining the Cuming City town site, where he lived for many years, extending the farm by. purchases adjoining until it became the well known and valuable Stewart farm of late years. A few years ago he left the care of the farm to his son Grant and moved into Blair.

The mother, Mary A. Hungate, was born March 28, 1824, and having raised a family of seven children, died Dec. 30, 1890, being almost 67 years old.

The children were Amanda J., born Nov. 15, 1843, married to Samuel Warrick March 21, 1861, now living near Blair; Elizabeth M., born Dec. 22, 1850, married to Chas M. Carter July 16, 1866, died Feb. 25, 1889; Addie E born March 2,1855, married to W. M. Martin Oct. 2. 1872, died Nov. 22, 1880; James H., born July 11, 1857, married to Miss Anna Gross Sept. 25, 1884, and now a prominent business man of Blair, Edgar A., horn Oct. 5, 1859, married to Miss Bertha McCormick Sept. 13, 1882, also at present a prominent Blair business man; Walter Grant, born Feb. 14, 1864, married to Miss Meldia A. Pilcher Jan. 13, 1886, now living on and successfully managing the old farm near town; Thomas Kermott, born Nov. 19, 1865, unmarried.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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