Frederick Steward

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Steward

Frederick Steward, Liberty Center, Ohio, was born on June 8, 1845, in Huron County, Ohio, the son of John and Elizabeth (Jerry) Steward. His parents were born and married near Kings Lynn, England. In 1837 they migrated to and settled in Huron County, Ohio. They were the parents of ten children: William, John, Mary, Robert, Thomas, Ann, Richard, Joseph, Fred, and Matthew. The first four children came to America with their parents and six were born after their arrival in Huron County, Ohio. Frederick was seven years old when he moved with his parents to Henry County. Frederick often told of the treacherous journey his parents had made to this country by boat. They were on the waters for sixteen weeks. The strong winds would often push them back to nearly their starting point. The latter part of their journey was made in fierce storms. At the age of eighteen Frederick enlisted in the Civil War as did two of his brothers. Richard enlisted in the 68th Regiment in 1861, Joseph in the 124th Regiment in 1862, and Frederick in the 124th Regiment, Co. D Infantry on February 24, 1864. The battles in which Pvt. Steward served were: Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., Resace, Ga., Picketts Mills, Ga., Brown's Ferry, Tenn. and Nashville, Tenn. Pvt. Steward became ill with smallpox while serving his regiment. After his recovery he spent seven months at the smallpox hospital caring for other patients. Joseph was wounded, but at the close of the war all brothers returned home and all on the same day. Frederick was married to Emaline Hoover, daughter of Joseph and Mary Hoover, on November 17, 1870, at Hoovers Corner in Liberty Township, Henry County, Ohio. They had one son George M., born in 1872 and one daughter Julia E., born in 1875. In 1864 Frederick purchased forty acres in Liberty Twp., Henry County and in 1874 purchased an additional one hundred acres for his homestead. For years he was a breeder of Registered Poland China hogs. Mr. Steward and Adam Hulvey owned a cheese factory that was located on Cloverleaf Corner (presently Co. Rds. V and 11), a corner of the Steward farm. In 1911 after successfully farming for forty-five years, Frederick and Emaline purchased and retired to a home in Liberty Center. Mr. Steward was mayor of Liberty Center for three terms and Justice of the Peace of Liberty Township for over forty years. The Stewards' son George married Lillie Chroninger of Liberty Twp., Henry Co., and Julia married Charles Miller of York Twp., Fulton Co., Ohio. George and Lillie had three daughters and one son: Vernice, Elmer, Alta, and Ruby. Vernice married George L. Shoemaker and they had four daughters: Jessie, Bertha, Esther, and Joyce. Elmer married Grace Carter and they had six children: Leo, Weldon, Doris, Donald, Norville, and Robert. Alta married Lawrence Kitter and they had two daughters, Norita and Marianne. Ruby married Blair Harmon and they had two sons and two daughters: Betty, Glen, Sam, and Gloria. Charles and Julia Miller had three sons, Wilmer, Stanley, and Forrest. Wilmer married Millis Fouty and they had four sons: Lawrence, Arthur, Burdette, and Glen. Later Wilmer married Gladys Brooks and they had two sons, Billy and Paul. Stanley married Virginia Bones and they had one son, Jack. Forrest married Marie Dehnbostel and they had one son, Ronald, and one daughter, Suzanne. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Steward acted the part of father and mother to Mrs. Hazel (Shannon) Eversole. Frederick and Emaline were faithful members of the Hebron Christian Union Church and the officiating ministers of their charge were taken into their home and welcomed with all the warmth and loving care of parental devotion. Their home was a most hospitable one, and many times provided a shelter to the traveler and stranger as well as to the close friend. Frederick died in 1936 at the age of ninety years. Emaline died in 1940 at the age of eighty-nine years. Mr. Steward lived to see a great-greatgrandchild, Joan Jane Shumaker, daughter of Jessie (Shoemaker) Shumaker.

Submitted by Jessie Cocke