Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 400 - 401 

COL. MILTON STEWART.  Not only has the sturdy agriculturist sought the rolling lands and fertile fields of Southern Kansas, but men of genius and learning have also been pleased to select a home in this new country, and found pleasure in contributing to its attractions.  The subject of this biography, a gentleman of culture and education, an extensive traveler, and the author of a most readable book, came to this county in 1874, and during the period of a fourteen years' residence here has been intimately identified with its most important interests.

      Col. Stewart established the first pork-packing establishment in Wichita in 1874, which he conducted for a period of ten years.  He then became connected with the Citizens' Bank and Citizens' Land Company, in both of which he retains an interest to the present time.  No man has been more warmly interested in the establishment of educational institutions, and the various other enterprises tending to benefit the people.  In 1885 he was appointed member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal School, and served three years as Treasurer of the board.  He was one of the charter members of Garfield University, of which institution he has been a Trustee and Treasurer since its organization in 1886.  As a Union soldier in the late war, upon the establishment of Garfield Post No. 25, G.A.R., at Wichita, in 1881, Col. Stewart was chosen its first Post commander, which position he held three consecutive terms.  In March, 1885, he was chosen Department Commander of Kansas G.A.R.  Among the financial interests of the city he has been no unimportant factor, serving as President of the Board of Trade in 1882, and being closely identified with the leading enterprises of the city.

      Our subject was born in Somerset, Pa., March 5, 1843.  His parents, Andrew and Susan (Ankeny) Stewart, were also natives of the Keystone State, the former of Franklin, and the later of Somerset County.  Andrew Stewart was born in 1787, and departed this life at his home in Somerset, in June, 1864.  The mother was born in 1797, and also died at the homestead in Somerset, in 1862.  The parents were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, who for several generations lived in County Down.

      The maternal grandparents of our subject, Peter and Rosina (Bennett) Ankeny, were among the early pioneers of Western Pennsylvania, to which they emigrated from Washington County, Md. They were descended from the old French Huguenots, and also died at Somerset, where their remains were laid to rest in the old German Reformed Churchyard.  The inscription on the tombstone of Peter Ankeny tells that he was born in 1751, and died in 1803.  His wife, Rosina, was born in 1759, and, surviving her husband over thirty years, died in 1834.

      The father of our subject followed the occupation of a planter, and Milton, of our sketch, continued under the home roof until the outbreak of the rebellion.  He was then but a youth of eighteen years, but determined to assist in the preservation of the Union, and accordingly enlisted in Company K, 4th Virginia Infantry, on the 12th of July, 1861, for a term of three years.  In 1862, near Logan Court House, Va., he was captured after a desperate struggle, in which all but one of his comrades were slain.  He was held by the enemy for a brief season, and then effected his escape.  For gallantry in this encounter he was promoted from Sergeant to Captain of Company B, 13th West Virginia Infantry.  He continued in the service until 1864, when he was again taken prisoner by a band of guerrillas, again affecting his escape.  Later on, at the battle of Winchester, on the 19th of September, while charging at the head of his command, he received a gunshot wound in both thighs, disabling him from service for three months.  Before returning to the field he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and detailed as Inspector General on the staff of Maj. Gen. George Cook.  He was mustered out of service in June, 1865.

      Col. Stewart in 1867 took up his residence at Junction City, Kan., but that same year the Indians being on the war path, and committing depredations in Western Kansas, he went out against them as a volunteer.  The year following he commanded a company in the 19th Kansas Cavalry, and on the resignation of Col. Crawford was promoted to Major.

     In 1870 Col. Stewart was married to Miss Clara Holmes, of Jacksonville, Ill., who died of consumption about two years thereafter.  In 1872 he moved to Wichita, where he has since resided.  In January, 1875, our subject contracted a second marriage, with Miss Emma R., daughter of Henry and Margaret Newcomer, of Polo, Ill.  Mrs. Emma Stewart was born Dec. 29, 1861, in Polo, Ill.  Her father was born in Maryland, and was the son of Isaac and Barbara (Snively) Newcomer.  The mother of Mrs. Stewart was also a native of Maryland, and died in that State in 1876.  Mr. N. is still living, and a resident of Polo, Ill.  Of the first marriage of our subject there were born two children: Mina R., born in November, 1876, and who died in August following; and Charles M., who was born Aug. 22, 1878, and is now pursuing his studies in the Wichita School for Boys, and is a promising youth with a bright future.

      In May, 1887, Col. Stewart with his wife and son sailed for Europe, making a tour of the British Isles, and many parts of the continent.  They also visited Palestine, and journeyed into Egypt as far as the pyramids.  During the entire time Col. Stewart acted as correspondent of the Wichita Daily Eagle, and upon his return, at the earnest request of many citizens embodied his letters in book form under the title "From the Nile to the Nile," a work which promises to be a financial success, and in a literary point of view has a graceful finish and completeness which renders it extremely readable and interesting.

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