George C. Stewart
SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: BARR, BRIDGES, CAMPBELL, KERKEM, STEWART
GEORGE C. STEWART. On section 23, in the township of Philo, is located the comfortable homestead of our subject, where he has carried on his farming operations since the spring of 1857. In addition to grain-raising he has also been a successful breeder of good grades of stock, and in all his transactions has exhibited that good judgment and forethought which have made him successful as a farmer and business man, and have secured for him the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens. He is a native of Woodford County, Ky., born in 1818, and is the son of Ralph STEWART of Maryland, who with his parents removed to Virginia when a young boy. His childhood and youth were passed in the Old Dominion, and after arriving at manhood he was there married to Mrs. Agnes Hugh (CAMPBELL) KERKEM, a native of that State. The young people soon after their marriage removed to Woodford County, Ky., but later to Henry County where they lived until the death of their father, which took place about 1833. Afterward the mother came to Illinois, and resided with her son, our subject, until her death, which occurred Sept. 20, 1858.
Our subject was the eldest child of his parents, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which took place in Henry County, Ill. The maiden of his choice was Miss Elizabeth BRIDGES, who was born in Bourbon County, Ky., whence she removed with her parents when quite young to Henry County, the same State. Of this marriage there have been born seven children: Leslie married Miss Sarah J. BARR, and is a resident of Edgar County, Ill., where he is successfully carrying on farming; S. Campbell is senior member of the firm of Brown & Stewart, grain dealers of Philo; John is a resident of Colorado; Ralph, George and Agnes are at home; Lucy is a graduate of the State Normal University, and is teaching at Pekin, Ill. The farm of our subject includes 280 acres, finely cultivated, and supplied with handsome and substantial buildings. Mr. and Mrs. S. are Presbyterian in religious belief, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.