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History Of Family Is Reviewed At Reunion

In 1854 Robert Stewart, a young man of 21, came from Scotland bringing a load of cattle for the Shakers, near Lebanon, Ohio.  His intentions were to return immediately but the Shakers made him an unusually good offer to remain here as a shepherd for the sum of $18 per month.  This being far more than he could ever earn in Scotland he decided to remain for a few years and then to go back home.  But in 1856 William Stewart, his father, with wife and four children came to America and settled at Shakertown, Ohio.
Two years later the oldest and only remaining child in Scotland, came uniting the family.  This Stewart family were descendents of Mary Queen of Scots.
These children all married and became parents of Large families, located as follows:  The Taits, and Fisherbacks, in Hartford City, Indiana, the Stephensons near Van Wert, Ohio, the Shultzs, Roberts and James Stewart, in the vicinity of Middletown.
Out of the original family there are only three remaining children, Jeanette Stephenson, Monroeville, Indiana, Ellen Fisherback, Greenville, Ohio and James Stewart, Ansonia, Ohio.
During all these years, the descendents of this family have never been united and after some correspondence it was decided to hold a family reunion at the beautiful country home of the youngest child James Stewart, near Ansonia, Ohio.
September 27, was the date agreed upon and it seemed as if every one was imbued with the spirit to be present.  They came from near and far with will filled baskets and in the elm grove 81 people sat down to a bounteous repast.
In the afternoon James Stewart gave a short talk on the history of the family, after which a permanent organization was affected.  The following officers being elected:  President, R. L. Stewart, Middletown, Ohio, Vice President Nan Rhonemus, Hartford City, Indiana, Secretary F. S. Gillespie, Middletown, Ohio, Treasurer, John Stephenson, Convoy, Ohio.
It was voted upon to hold the next reunion the second Saturday of Septembre [sic], 1925.
The time for departure came all too soon and each family wended its way home, tired and happy, and expressing with much appreciation the generous hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, and anxiously awaiting the coming of another year.
Those who attended from Middletown and vicinity were:  Mr. and Mrs. William Stewart, R. L. Stewart and family, Mrs. Nettie Grubbs, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Charles McCrea, J. W. McGriff and family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gillespie, Scott Gillespie and family, Will Gillespie and family, Mrs. Lou Augspurger and family, Middletown, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. George Tait, Springboro, Ohio, Mrs. Frank Miller, L. H. Kurfiss and family, Franklin, Ohio, and Will Shultz, Lebanon, Ohio.

Source: The Middletown (Ohio) Journal, Monday September 29, 1924