OBITUARY: Joseph H. Stewart, Medford, Jackson County, Oregon ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by Elizabeth Corethers 6 Dec 2002 ********************************************************************************* Medford (Oregon) Mail, Friday, 13 Jul 1906, p. 1 The funeral of Hon. Joseph H. Stewart, which took place on Tuesday, July 10th, was one of the most largely attended funerals ever witnessed in Medford. The services at the late residence were very simple and impressive, and the esteem in which the departed one was held by his family, his friends and his neighbors could be seen in the grief-stricken faces and the welling tears of those who had assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to the dead. The services consisted of singing by Mrs. Vawter, Mrs. Pickel and Miss Jones - one hymn, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," being particularly impressive and appropriate. Then came scripture reading, prayer and the reading of the following tribute to Mr. Stewart, by Rev. F. W. Carstens: "Joseph H. Stewart was born in Washington county, Maine, November 22, 1833. Died at Medford, Oregon, at 9:00 p.m., Saturday, July 7, 1906; aged seventy-two years, six months and twenty-two days. When twenty-one years of age, at Quincy, Ill., he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hyman, who now, as the faithful companion of years, survives him, sorrowing. "After his marriage he resided for a time in Cannibal, Mo., but in 1860 removed to Quincy, Ill., where he established a nursery and engaged very successfully in fruit raising, taking many premiums at state exhibits and such like places. In 1870 he was elected to the state legislature, serving with great acceptability. In 1884 he made a trip to Oregon - believing, from what he knew of the country - that Oregon would be an unexcelled place for growing fine fruit, berries, etc. So much pleased was he that February, 1885, found him located in Rogue River Valley. As early as 1890 he began to realize from his new orchard of the west. That year he shipped a carload of fruit - the first that was ever shipped from Jackson county. In 1896 his output was ninety-five carloads of pears and apples. He has been called the 'father of the fruit industry in Oregon,' and, as his old friend, Dr. Geary, once said, 'Every fruit tree in Rogue River Valley will be a monument to his memory.' "He was a man of affairs and took a keen interest in all public enterprises, advising, directing and often aiding with his influence and money. "He was one of the organizers of the Medford Bank, which was organized in 1890 and served as president of it for two full years. "In his immediate family he leaves a companion, one son and three daughters to mourn their loss. Outside of the immediate family many near relatives and a ho9st of friends share with the family the loss as heartfelt and personal. "In Mr. Stewart's life there is a tribute to the nobility of true manhood and to those qualities of starling worth which made his life a success. He was an unusually strong, healthy man, never ill, to speak of, until about two years ago; but since that time he has been a great sufferer, though he has borne the suffering and pain with the fortitude and courage so characteristic of him, often affirming that he believed he would get well and be strong again. "He thought deeply and for himself upon all subjects - religion included - and often, during his illness he spoke of the future, saying in his characteristic way: 'I'd like to explore the future life and know what it is,' and expressing himself as entirely ready to go when his time should come. "The end has come. 'The Golden Bowl is broken and the Pitcher at the fountain; the Silver Cord is loosened and the Wheel broken at the Cistern.' We weep and yet we mourn not as those who have no hope." The funeral cortege was met at the school house by the members of Medford Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and escorted to the cemetery, where the last sad rites were performed under the rules of the Masonic order. At the head of the procession was the white horse and the buggy used for many years by Mr. Stewart, in which was seated the officiating minister and the grandson of the deceased, Howard Hill.