Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 285-286.

GEORGE A. STEWARD

	George A. Steward is the owner of a fine farm near Riverton and its state of
development and improvement is entirely the product of his own labor.  His
success as a general agriculturist has established him among the men whose
careful and conservative management of a private enterprise makes them valued
citizens of the community.  He has been a resident of Coos County all his life,
his birth having occurred on Lampa Creek in 1872.  His parents were Stephen and
Mary F. (Hamlin) Steward, the former a native of Maine and the latter of
Illinois.  The father came to Oregon about 1860, settling near Lampa, where he
took up a homestead, which he improved and operated for a short time.  He
afterward engaged in the lumber business in Coquille, selling out his holdings
eventually in order to establish himself as a butcher.  He was engaged in this
line of occupation at the time of his death, which occurred in 1887.  He and his
wife had ten children: Frank and Charles, both deceased; George A., the subject
of this review; Charles, Scott and Nellie, all of whom have passed away; Nettie,
the wife of Melvin Hayter of Riverton; William, who resides in Washington;
Freeman, of Beaver Slough, Oregon; and Steve who makes his home in Riverton.
	George A. Steward grew up on his father's farm and at an early age became
acquainted with the best and most progressive agricultural methods, gaining at
this time a personal experience which has been invaluable to him in his present
activity.  He was educated in the district schools of Coos County and started
active life for himself at the age of sixteen years.  He obtained employment
upon neighboring farms and worked in this way for a number of years, abandoning
farm labor eventually in order to become a steam engineer.  For sixteen years he
worked at this business, gaining success and prosperity during the time.  He
purchased fifteen acres of land in Coos County and upon this he lived for one
year before he bought his present farm near Riverton.  Here he does general
farming, planting his acres in the most suitable grains and reaping abundant
harvests every year as the reward for his care and labor.  He has gained a
comfortable fortune, which he has invested judiciously, principally in town lots
in Bandon.
	Mr. Steward was united in marriage to Miss Lillian M. Thomas, a native of
Oregon and a daughter of W. H. and Elizabeth (Dean) Thomas, who came to this
state in 1882.  Mr. and Mrs. Thomas became the parents of three children:
Lillian, now Mrs. Steward; Edna, who married Freeman Steward, of Beaver Slough;
and Elva, who has passed away.  Our subject and his wife have three sons: M.
Earl, who was born in October 1902 and is attending school; William H., whose
birth occurred in 1904 and who is also pursuing his studies; and Henry, born in
1909.  Mr. Steward is a well known member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, his only fraternal affiliation.  He is liberal and independent in his
political views and, while he has never sought office, his public spirit has led
him to accept the position of road supervisor.  He entered upon his duties in
January, 1909, and has accomplished much progressive work along his particular
line since that time, keeping the roads under his charge in excellent condition.
He has conducted all the affairs of his department in a satisfactory and
intelligent manner, his ability and efficiency ranking him among the
constructively useful servants of the community.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2007 by Sue Steward (ssteward at
ccountry dot net).  George A. Steward was her husband's grandfather; please
contact her for more information.