Solomon Steward
Solomon Steward was born upon
the farm he now occupies, May 9, 1832. He was the tenth of thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters,
born to John and Christena (Pate) Steward, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and the latter a native
of Virginia, of English descent. His parents were among the earliest immigrants to this county, having come
probably as early as 1815. They settled upon the farm where our subject now lives, the father having entered
the land from the government. That was one among the first settlements made in Brandywine Township. The
subject of this sketch was reared upon the farm, and at the age of twenty-one he took up the vocation of a farmer
for himself. In the meantime his marriage to Lydia H. Reed occurred on the 1st day of July, 1852. She was born in Sussex County, N.J., and was the daughter of William and Betsey (Hart) Reed, natives of New Jersey, but who emigrated to Henry County, this State in an early day. For tow years
after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Steward resided upon the farm they now occupy. In the fall of 1854, they
moved to Clark County, Ills., but three years later they returned to this county and first settled in Brandywine
Township. About two years later they removed to Moral Township, and later returned to Brandywine Township. After residing upon other places, they, in 1867, returned to the old home place where they have ever since resided. The life occupation of Mr. Steward has been that of a farmer, and as such he has been reasonably
successful. He and wife are the parents of thirteen children, ten daughters and three sons, named as follows: Nathaniel R., Nancy E., Louise A., Emma C., William S., Rachel, Martha L., Doreathy, Magnola, Mary, Millia, Riley and a daughter that died in infancy, unnamed. Of those named Nathaniel R. and
William S. are also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Steward are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is a staunch Democrat. He owns seventy acres of good land, nearly all of which are in
an excellent state of cultivation.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, "Brandywine Sketches", pg 624. Chicago: Brant
& Fuller, 1887.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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