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Portrait and biographical album of Newayco (sp) County, Mich.
containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and
representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and
biographies of all the governors of Michigan and of the presidents
of the United States: also containing a complete history of the county,
from its earliest settlement to the present time.

Published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1884

Transcribed and submitted by Joyce Pearson
May 10, 2011

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STUART, Thomas H.
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Thomas H. Stuart, famer, section 6, Garfield Township, was born in
Washington, Macomb Co., Mich., Sept. 26, 1829, and is the son of Wilkes L.
and Frances (Hopkins) Stuart. When he was 12 years old his father went to
Tyrone, Livingston County, and took charge of 1,000 acres of timber land
belonging to John A. Wells, Cashier of the Farmers & Mechanics’ Bank, of
Detroit, where the family resided seven years, clearing 100 acres.

In 1845, Mr. W. L. Stuart bought 100 acres of wild land in Hartland
Township in the same county, and lying adjacent. He retained the place but
a short time and went to Cambria, Hillsdale County, where he bought 40
acres of land, and by additional purchases increased his farm to 160 acres.
In 1856 he sold out and came to Newaygo County, accompanied by his son,
Thomas H., where, in company with Daniel Weaver, he bought 320 acres of
land on the present site of Fremont Center and east of that village. Under
the regulations of the Homestead Act they could not hold the land in
partnership, and it was consequently divided, Mr. Weaver taking the portion
now constituting the village site. The entire tract was wild and covered
with the primeval forest. Mr. Stuart and his companion made their way from
Newaygo through unbroken woods, cutting their road as they advanced. On
arrival they cleared a small space and built a cabin of logs, 18 x 24 feet
in dimensions, on the present site of the residence of William Webber. The
structure was occupied the succeeding winter by James B. Mallory and wife,
Mrs. Stringham, Samuel and Henry Shupe and Philip Weaver, who kept open
house for all new comers. Mr. Mallory built his house in the spring. Mr.
Stuart, his son and Mr. Weaver returned to Hillsdale County for the winter.
In the spring Mr. Stuart removed his family, consisting of his wife and
three sons, to the new home.

On arrival in Newaygo County, Thomas H. Stuart bought 160 acres of land
adjoining the farm where he now resides, located on the southeast quarter
of section 36 of town 13, range 14 west, where he built a house and resided
about two years. In 1858 he went back to Hillsdale and passed one year,
returning afterwards to his farm, where he cleared 50 acres, and resided
until 1865, when he exchanged his farm for the Mateva Hotel at Newaygo. He
managed the house about 18 months, when he again exchanged his property
with his father for 80 acres of land where he is now located. Only ten
acres of this was under improvement at that time, but he now has 60 acres
under cultivation with good residence, barns, orchards, etc., upon it.

Mr. Stuart has accepted his share of the responsibilities of public life in
the county. He was Supervisor of the old township of Fremont one year,
served 12 years as Justice of the Peace in Sherman Township, and filled the
same position in Garfield Township after its re-organization. He has been
Township Clerk several times and is at present Highway Commissioner, which
office he has filled several years. He was one of the organizers of the
Grange, No. 494 at Fremont, in which he has held all the important offices.
He was also one of the organizers of Pomona Grange, No. 11, at Newaygo,
where he is an active worker in the interests of the Order of Patrons of
Husbandry.

Mr. Stuart was married in Reading, Hillsdale Co., Mich., to Sarah A.,
daughter of Matthew and Sarah Mallory, and a native of the State of New
York. Their two children, Wilkes C. and Mary A., were born on the first
farm in (now) Dayton Township. The son married Mary Du Bois and resides at
home. The daughter has been a teacher since she was 16 years old, and is
now a student in the Literary Department of the Normal School of Michigan.

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