Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 395 - 396

LAFAYETTE STEWART, a retired merchant and farmer, residing at No. 426 South Topeka avenue, is a native of the Empire State, his birthplace having been Brockport, the date, June 21, 1824. He is of sturdy Scotch ancestry, and has inherited the traits of industry, thrift and economy peculiar to that people, that always bring to them success in their various occupations.

        His father, Roderick R. Stewart, was born in Massachusetts in 1787, but later in life settled in New York State. He learned the trades of architect and bridge-builder, and being a fine workman early won a reputation for efficiency in his business. He, with Cromwell C. Bartlett and John C. Ward as co-trustees, was sent from New York to enter and locate the land now forming the site of Geneseo, Ill. In the fall of 1836, the said Roderick R. Stewart moved to the embryo city of Geneseo, and took contracts for erecting churches and other large buildings, meeting with great financial success in the new city. He was very actively identified with all its interests, aiding all its business enterprises. He was an influential member of the Stewart Lodge No. 92, A. F. & A. M., which was named in his honor. He was an Elder and a very prominent member of the First Congregational Church of Geneseo, being one of the founders of the same. For many years he presided as Judge of the Court of Henry County, Ill., and for a long time served as Justice of the Peace. He was also Postmaster several years. As a man, he was highly respected for his sterling worth and kindly Christian character, and his death, which occurred in Geneseo in 1860, was deemed a public loss, and the community mourned with the bereaved widow and children in their affliction. The maiden name of his wife was Clarissa F. Dresser. She was born in Massachusetts in 1789, and died in Geneseo, Ill., in 1867, having rounded out nearly a period of fourscore years. She was also a member of the Congregational Church, and worked faithfully with her husband for the good of the denomination. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Isaac N., Narcissa R., Elisha M., Susan D., Permelia, Lafayette, Josiah T. and George W.

        The subject of this biographical notice was born in Brockport, N. Y., June 21, 1824, and removed with his parents to Geneseo in 1836. He received a common-school education, and later pursued his studies at an academy. At the age of twenty-seven years he embarked in a mercantile business in Geneseo on his own account, and followed it for some time. Subsequently he was engaged in the lumber business there and in Atkinson, Ill., for a period of five years. Disposing of his interests there he removed to Waterloo, Iowa, remaining but six months. The ensuing two years he spent in Kansas City, Mo. He then came to Wichita, where he purchased city property, and has since been engaged as a real-estate broker. He is the possessor of valuable landed property here, owning 170 acres of good land and several house lots in the city. While a citizen of Illinois he held various town offices, being the first Marshal of Geneseo, and serving several years as Deputy Sheriff, and was also Township Collector for a long time. Mr. Stewart is a charter member of Stewart Lodge No. 92, A. F. & A. M., of that city, where he has taken the third degree.

        Our subject was married, Dec. 25, 1849, by the Rev. Mr. Lewis, to Miss Amanda Faxon, who was born in Lamoille County, Vt., Oct. 26, 1826. She is the daughter of Azariah and Roxanna (Lewis) Faxon. Her father was born Jan. 19, 1799, and died Oct. 8, 1881, in Nebraska. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a strict member of the Congregational Church. He was married in Hartford, Vt., Sept. 12, 1825, to the mother of our subject, whose birth occurred Dec. 11, 1804. Her father, Eleazer Lewis, lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and five years.

        The Faxon family are of English descent. Thomas Faxon, a progenitor many generations removed, came to Massachusetts in 1656, and purchased the first tract of land sold in Braintree, that State. The family record is honorable, and one of which the descendants may justly be proud, as no criminal of that name has ever stained the purity of the Faxon family archives. The parents of Mrs. Stewart had a family of eight children-Amanda, William H., John W., George H., Roxanna M., Mary J., Charles F. and Mary. All are deceased except Amanda and John W.

        Mrs. Stewart is a consistent and valued member of the Congregational Church. She and her husband are both Republicans in politics. To them have been born five children, namely: Eugene F., Marion E., Mary N., Isabella R. and George F. Eugene was born Oct. 4, 1850, and died Oct. 12, 1871; Marion was born June 29, 1852: she married J. E. Shaw, of Mulvane, this State. Mary was born Aug. 12, 1854, and died Sept. 4, 1855; Isabella was born Sept. 2, 1857; she married R. M. Sohn, of the Wichita National Bank. George was born April 20, 1862; he is an electrician by trade.

         Mr. Stewart is an esteemed resident of Wichita, and takes now, as he always has, an active interest in its prosperity, aiding all beneficial schemes tending to develop its business resources, or improve its moral, educational or social status.

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