Page 580. Stewart, William E. – It has been possible, by a course of frugality and by the exercise of will power, for hundreds of young men to overcome the obstacles confronting them in youth and to attain a satisfactory degree of success. The standing of Mr. Stewart as a popular and progressive business man proves what it is within the power of young men to accomplish. Handicapped by the death of his father, the poverty of the family and the difficulty of securing an education he nevertheless discharged every duty toward his mother and the other children, and at the same time was able to advance his own interests until he has gained an education and started in business with every prospect of success. On a farm near St. Clair, Blue Earth county, Minnesota, William E. Stewart was born February 10, 1868, being a son of William and Sarah F. (Peabody) Stewart, who descended from Massachusetts ancestry and came from Wisconsin to Minnesota in 1866. The father entered a claim in Blue Earth county, but relinquished the land on his removal to Faribault county. Later he
Page 581. returned to this county and settled on the farm where he died in 1884, at the age of fifty-four years. His widow survived him for a long period, dying in 1899, at the age of fifty-seven. There were four children born to their union, namely: William E.; Ruby, wife of James Davidson, of Janesville, Wisconsin; Bert W., also of Janesville, that state; and Charles, living in Everett, Washington. On account of the lack of means from which the family suffered, William E. Stewart was put out on a farm to work at the age of nine years and remained until fourteen, meanwhile receiving $6 per month during the summer season, while in the winter months he was given the privilege of attending school and working for his board. The deep snows and rigorous climate caused his attendance at school to be a matter of discomfort and even of suffering, for he was illy clad, using his wages to aid the family rather than to clothe himself. However, a determined spirit is not easily daunted, and with the optimism of youth he labored and learned, eventually, by the utmost self-denial, being able to secure the advantages of training in the Mankato State Normal School and the Mankato Commercial College. Meanwhile he worked at such occupations as would aid him in defraying the expenses of an education, and was employed at farming, market gardening, and brick making.
As traveling sales agent for the J. I. Case Threshing Company since 1901, Mr. Stewart has proved his suitability to the position. The company recognized his efficiency by making him manager of the southern district of Minnesota, in which capacity he has rendered excellent service and made a creditably record. He is sole proprietor of the Mankato Brick and Tile Company’s plant at Mankato, a small business giving employment to sixteen men and three boys. In politics he is a republican and has served as a delegate to the state convention of his party. A resident of North Mankato, he has filled the office of village treasurer and has been an alderman for two or more years. Fraternally he holds membership with the Masons, Royal Arcanum, Elks Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. December 1, 1898, he was united in marriage with Miss Lulu S. Wells, of Lake Crystal, Blue Earth county. They are the parents of three sons, Nelson Wells, John Peabody and James Cole. (History of Blue Earth County and Biographies of its Leading Citizens, Thomas Hughes, Middle West Publishing Company, Chicago, 1909)