Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 782-785.

HENRY B. STEWARD
	
	HENRY B. STEWARD, the efficient and popular postmaster of Myrtle Point, Coos
County, not only became a well known figure in industrial circles of this
section but is also prominent in politics and well known in fraternal circles of
the community in which he makes his home.  The width of the continent divides
him from the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred in the state of
Maine, on the 21st of January, 1859.  His parents, Joseph and Sarah Steward,
were also natives of the Pine Tree state but in 1876 sought the opportunities of
the far west, making their way to California.  Upon arriving in that state they
took up their abode in Inyo county, which remained the place of their residence
throughout their remaining days.
	Henry B. Steward, who was the only child born unto his parents, received a
good public school education and remained at home until twenty-one year of age,
when determining to seek his own way in the world, he left the parental roof and
went to southern California.  There he became identified with mining and farming
operations and was variously engaged in that section of the country for a period
of fourteen years.  On the expiration of that time he disposed of his interests
in California and came north to Oregon, locating in Coos county, and here took
up the occupation of a contractor and carpenter, in which line of activity he
meet with most gratifying success.  He was thus actively connected with the
material development and growth of the county until 1907, when he withdrew from
industrial circles to take upon himself the duties of public office.
	Early in life Mr. Steward became interested in the politics of the country
and forming his own opinions and riles of conduct, has given support to the
republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.  For seven
years he served as constable and has occupied the position of postmaster for
five years, his reappointment to that office in 1911 indicating his popularity
among his fellow citizens and the capable and efficient manner in which he
performed the duties that devolved upon him in this connection.
	It was in the year 1898 that Mr. Steward established a home of his own by
his marriage on the 14th of December, to Miss Estella Volkmar, who was born in
Coos County on the 2d of September, 1870, a daughter of William and Wilhelmina
(Defenbaugh) Volkmar.  Her parents were both natives of Germany, the father's
birth occurring on the 19th of April, 1816 and the mother's on June 22, 1830.
They crossed the Atlantic in early life, Mr. Volkmar coming to this country when
nineteen years of age, arriving in Baltimore in 1834.  There he worked some time
at the tinners' trade and later, in connection with his brothers, took large
contracts for the covering of stations and bridges belonging to the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Company.  He was also employed by Samuel Morse, the inventor, in
installing the first telegraph line ever constructed between Baltimore and
Washington, D. C., and was present when the first message was sent over the
line.  He was married in Baltimore and in 1859 sailed for California, via the
isthmus of Panama, with San Francisco as his destination.  He did not long
remain in that city, however, but in 1860 came north to Oregon, being a member
of the first colony to settle along the Coquille river in Coos county.  The
party came by boat as far as Port Orford, where they landed, and from which
place they made their way up the beach with ox teams, continuing their journey
until they reached the Coquille valley.  There they procured scows upon which
they loaded their effects, and thus they came up the river to their future
homes.  The journey was not without its perils for on one occasion a member of
the party was drowned and on another one of the scows sank, causing a great loss
of property.  Finally, however, they reached their destination and Mr. Volkmar
established his home on the south fork of the Coquille river.  He had brought
with him a millstone and a small engine, and later he purchased a fifty-two inch
saw.  He erected a sawmill and also a grist mill, which was operated
successfully for some time, and in addition to the lumber which he manufactured
for his own use and that of the colony he shipped considerable white cedar
lumber to San Francisco, where it sold for twenty-two dollars and fifty cents
per thousand.  He continued to reside in that section of the county until 1884,
when he came to Myrtle Point and here became identified with the tinning
business, while later he added a hardware department.  He thus continued until
his death, which occurred in January, 1909, having survived his wife for sever
years, her death occurring in 1902, when she was seventy-one years of age.  In
their family were eight children, of who three are deceased.  Those living are:
J. M., of Oregon City; William F., a resident of North Yakima, Washington; Mrs.
Steward; and Henry G., also engaged in their hardware business in Myrtle Point.
Those deceased are Carl H., and Tillie V. Greene, and one who passed away in
infancy.  Mrs. Steward received her education in Myrtle Point and previous to
her marriage was successfully engaged in teaching school for a short time.  She
and her husband have become the parents of three children, namely:  Harry B.,
who was born on November 18, 1899; Melba H., born January 13, 1902; and Darrell
C., whose birth occurred on January 16, 1905.
	Mr. Steward is a prominent and popular figure in fraternal circles of Coos
County, holding membership in the Masonic order and the Woodmen of the World, in
both of which bodies he has filled all of the chairs.  He has also served as
delegate to the grand lodge of Masons and belongs to the Eastern Star, while he
is also identified with the local Grange.  He and his family live in a fine home
situated on six acres of land located partly within the city limits of Myrtle
Point.  Aside from his home place he also owns one hundred and sixty acres of
time land on Catching creek and valuable property in the town of Bandon, while
his wife is the owner of thirty-five acres of land on the south fork of the
Coquille river.  The family is one of the well known and prominent families of
Myrtle Point, popular in the social circles in which they move, and few citizens
are held in higher esteem than is Mr. Steward.  He has done much in the past
toward the material development of the community and his record in public office
has ever been in the highest order, winning for him the confidence and good-will
of all concerned.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2007 by Sue Steward (ssteward at
ccountry dot net).  Please contact Sue for more information on Henry B. Steward.