Stewart, Walter Elisha

Passed: 1900-02-05

Age: 24

Source:

Death Notice: 1900-02-05

Obituary Date:

Information: Walter Elisha Stewart, the subject of this sketch, was born June 15, 1875, in Jackson county, W. Va.  He received a common school education and worked on his father's farm until he was 19 years of age.  He was highly respected by all who knew him.  He left his home and native State to attend Valentine's School of Telegraphy at Janesville, Wis., where he remained six months in school, passed an examination and received his papers of credit, and was assigned a position as messenger and helper in the telegraph office at Wilson, Wis., on the Chicago, St. Paul & Omaha railroad.  After a period of a few months he was transferred to Blueearth City, Minn., in an office of the same company, where he remained one year, after which he was assigned a position at St. Paul Junction, near the city of St. Paul, as night operator, where he remained until November, 1897, when he came home on a visit.  During all this time he had not seen a face he had known until he arrived at Millwood Junction, W. Va.  He remained at home until August 8.  During his visit home he made himself useful helping his father on the farm.      Once more he left the parental roof and went to Chicago, where he made application to the Superintendent of the C. & E.  I. railroad and was assigned a position as night operator in an office at Rossville, Ill., where he remainded nearly eighteen months and gave entire satisfaction to his employer.      He was taken sick on the night of the 26th of January, 1900.  A physician was called and he continued to grow worse when a second physician was called and a consultation was held and great hopes for his recovery were entertained until about two hours before his death, which occurred at 12:30 p.m., February 5.  After he was informed by the physicians that he could not recover he said he was ready and willing to die, but that he would like to see pa and ma and his sisters, but now he would not get to see them but they would get to see him.      The funeral services were held over the remains by the Masons, with Rev. Phillips officiating (whose picture is here presented), of which order he was a member in good standing, with his dues paid one year in advance.  The remains were escorted by the Masons to the depot and expressed to Evans, W. Va., where they arrived in good condition on Thursday and was met by friends and taken to his home where they remained until Saturday noon, when they were taken to Mt. Moriah and the funeral oration was delivered by Rev. T. H. Rymer from a text requested by the deceased only a few minutes before his death which was The wisdom of Solomon 3d and 1st, and followed an oration by Rev. C. Robinson.  (A letter follows from people he boarded with in Illinois and also a resolution of respect from his lodge)