Widely Known Breeder and Farmer Dies at Age of 81 Years

SCIENTIFIC FARMER

Father Time has again taken his toll and this time he has chosen for his victim one of the older settlers of the county and a man who through his life has been widely known for his sterling qualities and his humanitarian views.

Samuel W. Stewart, veteran purebred stockbreeder, and horticulturist died at his home, Cloverdale Farm, southwest of Blair on Christmas Eve, December 24. His passing was on the home farm, which he purchased away back in 1879 and on which he has lived continuously since that time.

Deceased was born in Champaign, Illinois, May 29, 1855. As a boy he moved to Omaha and later to Missouri and then to Blair. On July 13, 1882 at Tekamah he was married to Lucy Belle Downing, his widow with whom he celebrated his golden wedding in 1932. The celebration was widely noted and drew friends from far and near who took the opportunity to show their love and respect for them.

To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart a family of ten children were born, two of whom preceded their father in death. The bereaved widow and the eight remaining children are Mrs. Emil Nelsen and Mrs. Joe Nelsen, of Potter, Nebraska; Roscoe, of Irvington, Nebraska; Paul of Lincoln; Mrs. John Marshall, of Kennard; Theodore, of Blair and Sam of Webster, South Dakota.

The deceased leaves no brothers or sisters; he was the youngest of his family and the last to go.

Funeral services were held last Sunday at 1:30 p.m. from the Methodist Church in Blair and interment was made in the Kennard Cemetery.

Thus passes into memory a man of outstanding character. He was a pioneer in the idea of scientific farming. He was a great student and reader and was always versed in the problems of the day and took great delight in discussing them.

In the civic and social affairs of his neighborhood he always took an active part and no gathering was quite complete without him. He was a member of the Grange, a farmer organization, and took great interest in its activities.

He led a life of the highest ideals and set an example well worthy of emulation and leaves a memory that will always stand for good.

#2 Printed in the Dec. 31, 1936 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

SAM W. STEWART, 81, SUCCUMBS AT BLAIR FARM HOME

Prominent Farmer is Buried Sunday After Services in Blair

WIFE, 8 CHILDREN SURVIVE PIONEER

Mr. Stewart, Among County’s Leading Farmers, Was Recognized for Purebred Livestock He Had Raised at Cloverdale Farm.

Samuel W. Stewart, 81, one of the most successful farmers in Washington county, died last Thursday evening following a long illness. His condition had been critical since he suffered a stroke and heart attack a few days before his death. Mr. Stewart’s wife and eight children were present when he died.

Born at Champaign, Illinois, May 29, 1855, Mr. Stewart came to Omaha when five years old, later going to Missouri with his parents before moving to Blair in 1876. Since 1879 he had owned and operated Cloverdale farm, raising purebred livestock which won him widespread recognition.

When he purchased Cloverdale farm in 1879, the price was about $9 an acre. In the intervening 57 years Mr. Stewart had improved his farm until it is now among the best in that part of the country. He often had expressed regret at turning down an opportunity many years ago to purchase an adjoining 80 acres of land at $5 an acre.

Livestock Outstanding

Raising practically nothing on his farm except livestock, Mr. Stewart had won honors many times at the Nebraska State Fair and at other Midwestern expositions with his fancy purebred Duroc Jersey hogs and Polled Shorthorn cattle. Some of his livestock had been shipped as far away as South America for use in breeding purposes.

Mr. Stewart was married July 13, 1882, in Tekamah to miss Lucy Belle Downing of that community, and they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in July, 1932, with a large family reunion.

Surviving Mr. Stewart are his wife, three daughters, Mrs. John Marshall of Kennard, Mrs. Joe Nelson and Mrs. Emil Nelson of Potter, Nebraska; five sons, Paul Stewart of Lincoln, Roscoe Stewart of Irvington, Jay, Ted and Sam, Jr. of Blair. There are 26 surviving grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Blair, the Rev. Bryant Howe officiating. The church was filled with relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were C.B. Hansen, Frank Schafer, Frank Biffar, Cleon Wilkins, Albert H. Miller and Gus Kempcke. Interment was in Kennard cemetery.

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

Note: He is buried in Blk 2 Lot 27 Sp 2 in the Kennard Cemetery.

FindaGrave Memorial # 26513812