Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 112.
 
JAMES B. STEWART
 
   No farmer in Lane county is better or more favorably known than James B.
Stewart, whose extensive and productive farm is located on the Row river, where
he has spent the greater portion of his life. He was born in Cottage Grove,
Oregon, on the 19th of January, 1861, and is a son of Edward W. and Nancy J.
(McFarland) Stewart. The mother was the eldest of six children born to her
parents, who came across the plains from Boone county, Missouri, in 1852, and
took up a donation claim where the town of Cottage Grove now stands. Their
journey across the continent was made in the typical covered wagon of that
period and they were six months on the way. Edward W. Stewart was an early
pioneer of California, where he engaged in mining on Feather river. While there
an Indian shot him in the wrist with a flint arrow, from the effects of which,
through blood poisoning, he died twenty-five years later. In 1849 he came to
Oregon, locating first at Albany, where he was married, and in 1853 he located
at Cottage Grove, Lane county. For about ten years he was engaged in
blacksmithing here, but later turned his attention to farming on the Row river,
where he spent his remaining years. To him and his wife were born two children:
Mary Elizabeth, who died in 1879; and James B., of this sketch.
 
   James B. Stewart secured his education in the district school near Cottage
Grove, which he was able to attend three months each year. When he was eighteen
years old his father died, and he assumed the management of the home farm, which
he has operated to the present time. He carries on general farming, and also
gives considerable attention to stock raising and grazing. He owns twelve
hundred and twelve acres of splendid land lying along the Row river and
maintains it at a high standard of excellence, the buildings and other
improvements being of a substantial character, while all of the farm equipment
is up-to-date and well cared for.
 
   On February 14, 1883, at Cottage Grove, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to
Miss Margaret Cole, who was born and reared in the Row river valley, of which
locality her parents were pioneers. They came from Missouri in 1853 and took up
a donation claim, creating a good homestead, and there they reared their five
children, none of whom is living. The parents were buried in the Sears cemetery
on Row river. To Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were born two children, Malcolm M. and
Pearl A. Malcolm M. Stewart was born May 27, 1887, and was first married to Miss
Minnie E. Stocks, who died leaving four children: James A., aged eighteen years;
Ernest M., aged sixteen years; M. Evelyn, aged fifteen years, and Margaret M.,
aged four years. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Margaret Gillespie, a widow.
Pearl A. Stewart became the wife of H. R. Shearer and they are the parents of
one child, Margaret Maurice, who was born June 6, 1917.
 
   Mr. Stewart is a member of Eugene Lodge, No. 357, B. P. O. E. He has long
taken an active interest in local public affairs, having served as road
supervisor and as postmaster of Stars, until the office there was abolished. He
is a man of earnest purpose and upright life, and his record has been such as
has gained for him the sincere esteem and good will of his fellow citizens
throughout the community where he lives.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2016 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.