Isaac Mitton Stewart

Er is ook sprake van datum geboote 23-02-1816

Biography of Isaac Mitton Stewart from Family Search.org

Isaac Mitton Stewart was born at Chesterfield, Burlington County, New Jersey, March 14th 1815. He was the son of Biekley Stewart of rare Quaker stock, who served in the Revolutionary War under George Washington. He entered the service at the age of 15, was excommunicated from the Society of Quakers for enlisting as it was against Quaker religious convictions to carry arms.

When a very young man, Isaac left New Jersey; located in Carthage where he became a devout member of the Mormon Church. It was during the time of the opposition and martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith and he was later appointed one of the guards over the body of the martyred prophet. In 1852 he emigrated to Utah and was captain of his company crossing the plains. When he arrived in the valley, he was made Bishop of Draper, Utah, in which capacity he served for 34 years.

He was a strong moral force and a great leader. He was well educated and realized the need of higher education among the Pioneers. He was instrumental in establishing the public schools and due to his determination and sacrifice, urged John R. Park, a noted educator to locate in Draper, where the leading school of the territory was established. Money was scarce but Bishop paid as high as $40 per month to retain the service of the Doctor who later became President of the University of Deseret, which became the University of Utah. He took an active part in public and community affairs. He was elected County Commissioner or County Select Man as it was then called and served on the Board for a period of nine years. He was an able assistant in building canals and construction bridges and played a leading part in building roads throughout the country.

He had the confidence of Brigham Young and such early Church leaders as President John Taylor, John R. Windor, Bishop Miller and many other leaders in Utah history. He entertained many of the Church in his Draper home and was the embodiment of honor and always ready to help those in distress. His home life was calm and beautiful and he commanded the admiration of all who knew him, including numerous Indians who came to his home in time of trouble.

It was during these early years that Elizabeth White came into the Bishop's home to assist with the innumerable duties. She was a frail little woman who had come as one of the emigrant train, delayed in the hard winter of 1856 to Draper. She was born February 22nd 1838, in Bloomsburg Square, London. She was gifted with a charming personality and wonderful voice being a member of the Persley Town Choir in London, England. In 1854 when she was 16, together with her mother, her brothers Barnard and Richard and her sister Eliza, she was baptized into the Mormon Church. On May 22nd, 1856, they arrived in Liverpool and two days later sailed on the Horizon for Boston, Massachusetts. Company Presidents were Ed Martin and Jesse Hanson. They arrived in Boston June 28, 1856 and the emigrants started a 1500 mile journey to Iowa by train. The passengers were seated upon their trunks during the journey with very little food. Upon arriving at Iowa City, 500 emigrants walked four miles to their camping grounds, carrying their bedding and were soaked to the skin upon arrival there.

The handcart company with whom they had expected to travel to Utah had already departed so they were obliged to wait until September. On September 3rd the Whites started out with two yoke of oxen, two cows, a tent, a covered wagon, trunks, bedding and provisions which were very sparse. There were seven in the family so they walked most of the way except when necessary to ford a stream. They traveled 15 to 20 miles a day in good weather. Their handcart company was led by Captain John Hunt and consisted of 40 wagons in the train. There was little trouble with the Indians but when they reached Fort Laramie, a herd of Buffalo rushed into view and caused the oxen to stampede. A Mrs. Walters was killed.

At Platte River, 500 miles from Salt Lake, the men carried the woman and children over the swollen stream. The snow fell 6 inches deep that night and 13 died that same night. On October 28th it snowed for three days, during which time provisions were exhausted and no food for the cattle. The weakest cattle were killed for food, while a family of seven had only a quarter pound of flour per day.

When the company reached Devil's Gate, they found it impossible to continue further. Two yoke of oxen had died and one of the cows. Their only fuel was snow-covered sagebrush melted snow served as water. Their meals consisted mainly of soda biscuit and sage tainted water. The ground was frozen so hard, tent pins could not be forced in so tents were abandoned except where they were stretched out and flaps fastened into the frozen snow. After being here five days, they were happily surprised by seeing a relief train approaching. The loaded wagons had been sent by Brigham Young from Draper under the leadership of George Clawson and Gurnsey Brown.

Elizabeth White was such a a hopeful and cheerful person the Mr. Brown asked her to accompany them back to Draper with a band of sick emigrants. After much deliberation on the part of her mother due to her being of of a rather frail stature, she went ahead with Esther Brown with the members of the relief train, arriving in Salt Lake in a bad snowstorm. They walked the entire distance. Salt Lake was a strange disappointment to the weary traveler with its few huddled log cabins. They reached Salt Lake November 30, 1856, the last handcart company to arrive. Later other members of the company arrived after severe struggles. Bishop Isaac M. Stewart took Barnard White into his employ. A Mrs. Burnham gave Elizabeth and her mother a home while brother Richard became a clerk in the Godbe Drug Store in Salt Lake. Elizabeth later went to work for Esther Brown, while her mother lived with her son, Barnard in the home of Bishop Stewart. Two months later Elizabeth White joined the Bishop's household and was married to him on the 8th of March, 1857, when nineteen years of age. Bishop Stewart also had two other wives. His children were Zebulom, Isaac, Joshua, and Meranda, but perfect harmony prevailed in their home.

On July 24th news came of the approach of Johnson's Army but they failed completely in an attempt to annihilate the Mormon Emigrants.

Elizabeth White Stewart was a wonderful helpmate to the Bishop. She was bookkeeper, clerk, and homemaker. She was always cheerful and happy and even though her burdens were heavy, she sang her way through them. Her mother was a wonderful help to her. Elizabeth became the mother of eleven children: Mary, William, Alice, Elizabeth, Eliza J., Samuel White, Charles B., Barnard J., Luella E., and Nettie P. Stewart; also Olson who died when a small child. All others grew to maturity.

Elizabth worked hard, washed, carded, spun and wove clothing for her children besides her home and church work. She was a source of great inspiration to all who knew her and a joy and comfort to her children. She was particularly interested in their education and religious training. Her children were all well educated. Her son William M. Stewart is recognized as one of the great educators in Utah. Samuel W., Charles B., and Barnard J. are all attorneys of note. The daughters are all homemakers of rare ability; also some became accomplished musicians.

Elizabeth White Stewart had 68 grandchildren when she passed away and was the great-grandmother of 87 great grandchildren. She passed on May 7, 1916, leaving behind her a noteworthy family, joining her husband who passed away in the Spring of 1890. Her grandchildren are recognized outstandingly as teachers, social welfare leaders, musicians, artists, poets, writers, lawyers, mechanics, and businessmen. None of the sons and daughters of Isaac M. and Elizabeth White Stewart ever used tobacco or intoxicating liquors.

We revere their memories and hold up the lives of our grandparents as fine examples, who have set us and example well worth following.

Married Matilda Jane Downs, 5 Dec 1843, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois

Married Emma Beynon, 8 Mar 1857, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Married Elizabeth White, 8 Mar 1857, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
Inscription: In Memory Of.

Note: No Headstone, listed on Stewart monument; Stewart Monument's text: (West) In Memory of Isaac M. Stewart Feb. 23, 1816 - Mar. 15, 1890; (South) Elizabeth White Wife of Isaac M. Stewart Feb. 22, 1838 - May 7, 1917; Orson Richard Stewart May 22, 18

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 1 2018, 22:17:57 UTC