STEWART, ROBERT SHAW, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bradford township, this county, on the 30th day of June, in the year 1826. His father, John Stewart was a native of Ireland, who immigrated to this country and became one of the pioneers of Bradford township in the year 1819. In the family of John Steward were eight children, of whom Robert was the fourth. The children were brought up on the farm, and had but little opportunity to acquire an education, except by experience. The older brothers were among the first lumbermen in this region, and ran lumber to market at a very early day. Until he attained his twenty-first year, Robert S. worked on the farm and in the woods for his father, but on reaching that age he commenced making square timber, on small scale at first, but gradually increasing as he felt able to do so, and as occasion demanded, until he became known as one of the many extensive and successful operators in this locality. For many years, he was a lumber contractor for a Philadelphia firm and ran their timber to market.
In the year 1870, he bought the lands and mill privilege of Irvin & Sons, on the north side of the West Branch. Here he replaced the burned mill with a substantial new one; still later he purchased another tract from Gillingham & Garrison, at the mouth of Surveyor's Run, where in 1884 he build the large stream and water-powered saw, shingle and planing mill now so extensively operated by him.
Robert S. Stewart commenced his business career with no capital, except his own determined will and energy and his success is the result of his own personal efforts and good management. His time and attention are devoted to business, leaving him but little occasion to participate in the political affairs of the county; nevertheless, as one of the substantial sons of the county and a resident of Girard township, he takes a deep interest in every move looking to the progress of either. As an earnest member of the Shawsville Methodist Episcopal Church, he contributes both of his means and counsel to the support and maintenance of that society.
On the 6th day of November in the year 1851, Robert Shaw Stewart married Rebecca, daughter of Robert Wrigley. Of this marriage there have been born eleven children, nine of whom are still living.
Source: Pages 678-679, History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1887.
Transcribed August 1999 by Gloria Gloss for the Clearfield County Aldrich Project
Contributed for use by the Clearfield County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/~clearfield/)
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