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Oxford Marriages, South Norwich - William Wesley Stewart, Aged 26 Years, Resides Selkirk, Ontario, Born Walpole, Ontario, Bachelor, Farmer, Son of Adam and Ruth Stewart, Wilhelmina Margaret Mehlenbacher, Aged 24 Years, Resides Springford, Ontario, Born Fisherville, Ontario, Spinster, Daughter of Frederick and Christina Barbara Mehlenbacher, Witnesses Alexander and Rosa Mehlenbacher, Springford, Ontario, November 6th 1895 at Springford, Groom Baptist, Bride Lutheran, Solemnized by A. R. Best, by License, Alex McFarlane Division Registrar of South Norwich
Haldimand Deaths, Rainham - Stewart Mrs. Wesley, Female, July 26th 1906, Aged 35, Place of Death Lot 5, Concession 4, House Wife, Married, Husband Wesley Stewart, Rainham, Cause of Death Cancer of the Uterus, Duration 2 Years, Physician Dr. Baker, Lutheran, Registered July 27th 1906, Leander F. Culver Division Registrar of Rainham
Haldimand Marriages, Walpole - Stewart William Wesley, Aged 25 Years, Resides Township of Rainham, Widowed, Baptist, Father Adam Stewart, Farmer, Mother Ruth Bockman, Mary Maud Irwin, Aged 20 Years, Resides Township of Rainham, Spinster, Farmer's Daughter, English Church, Father George Erwin, Farmer, Mother Rosie Dennis, 22nd May 1909 at Jarvis, Haldimand, Witnesses Wesley Edwards, Jarvis, Clara Edwards, Jarvis, Solemnized by H. J. Harnwell, Jarvis, by License, Registered 26th May 1909, S. A. Thompson Division Registrar of Walpole
BECOMES FATHER, GRANDAD, GREAT GRANDAD AT AGE 66
Ontario Farmer has daughter younger than her grandnephew. Had 14 children. Page Ripley ... or Sinclair .. or a psychiatrist - this reporter has been trying to figure out how Wesley Stewart, 66, managed to become a father, grandfather, and great grandfather in eight months. This set up proved almost too unique for experiences confined to ramblings through southern Ontario, particularly when Stewart confided his daughter was younger than her grandnephew.
"Tain't so bad for a man of 66, Stewart declared yesterday as he climbed down from a sleigh load of feed and assured us that rumour was not fickle ... Plunging through snow drifts, he entered the Stewart domicile a mile west of here and gathered a laughing, cherub like baby of six months into his arms. "This is Mildred Loretta - my great grandson's great aunt," he announced and Mildred beamed approval.
Mrs. Stewart who was busy at the stove melting snow into water to relieve the drain on a failing well, rattled off the secret of her husband's genealogical record in a few seconds, but it was too much for a reporter accustomed to the vapid announcements in a birth column. "Wait, we'll write this down," he suggested. It was a hopeless task. A family tree was the only answer. Stewart, it evolved was the father of 14 children, 11 of whom were living. "I have nine, including Mildred,' interjected Mrs. Stewart.
"I was married twice," the farmer explaind, "My first marriage was at Springford, near Tillsonburg, thirty-nine years ago. There were three children born. My first wife died in 1906." Mrs Clifford Hurst and Mrs. Erie Atkinson, children of the first marriage, reside near St. Thomas. Mrs. Atkinson's daughter Mrs. Dorothy Brooks of St. Thomas is the mother of Louis, 8 months, whose birth opened a new page in the Stewart family history. Louis Brooks is the great grandson.
Mildren Loretta Stewart, born last August 21, is the youngest of Stewart's family by the second wife. She is Louis Brook's great aunt. "We had 11 children and 9 are living," Mrs. Stewart explained. Ernest is married and living at Balmoral. Ruth, Mrs Rhora lives in Oakville. Russell is a rover. He is a cowboy in the foothills of British Columbia. Homer, Annie, Arthur, Jean, Walter and Mildred are at home.
Has two granddaughters - Stewart's granddaughter was introduced as Florence Marguerite, daughter of Ernest and Mrs. Stewart of Balmoral. She was born last Oct. 9. Another granddaughter Alice Ruth Rhora of Oakville, born Jan. 6 this year. Thus although Stewart's family tree only recently gained its novel branches, he is actually the head of a family of 16. Mrs. Stewart, 43, was married at eighteen and enjoyed good health until after Mildred Loretta's birth. "There wasn't a stronger man in our neighborhood when I was in my prime," Stewart told the Star. "I have worked as a farmer, butcher and thrasher. We have 10 acres of land, a garden, a couple of cows and a pig now and I work occasionally by the day for other farmers."
Smokes but doesn't drink - He still has his own teeth, smokes a pipe and chews tobacco but doesn't drink. "I haven't touched a drop of liquor in 25 years" he confided, Why because I felt that everytime I spent 50 in a hotel I was robbing my family." Mrs. Stewart gave her family history with ease. She was an only child.
My father's homestead in Walple Township is still in the family, Stewart stated. He married twice. He had seven boys and they are all dead but me. Three half-brothers lived to 84, 85 and 87 years. I had six full sisters and they are all alive except for the eldest. Let us get that straight, the reporter suggested, fearing another genealogical tangle was imminent. That one is easy Stewart laughed. Father was married twice. There were two half sisters and six full sisters. Four half brothers. Five sisters and myself are still living.
All our children have been healthy, he boasted, and they are a good bunch. They have helped me a lot.
J.L.R. McDonald, TORONTO STAR
Selkirk, March 8, 1934
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Rainham Builders
1868 - 1942 (74 years)