George Emory Steward

George Emory Steward (my Great Great Grandfather) was born in Ohio on January 14, 1846.

This is him and his wife Victoria.

His parents are David Steward and Elizabeth (Eliza) Damsel.

He enlisted in the civil war when he was 18. Below is his civil war information. He was part of the Ohio 9th Cavalry, you can read more about them HERE.

By 1867 he was living in Iowa, because on January 10 1867 he married Victoria Virginia Wheelhouse. They both were 20 years old.

In 1868 they had their first child, a son, Arthur M Steward.

In 1869 they had another child, a son, Albert D Steward.

In 1872 they had another child, a daughter, Elsie O Steward.

In 1876 they had another child, a son, Alva John Steward.

In 1880 they had another child, a daughter, Eliza Steward.

In 1882 they had another child, a daughter, Modie Imo Steward.

In 1886 they had another child, a son, Clyde Emory Steward.

In 1889 they had another child, a daughter, Argie V Steward.

I'm not sure exactly when they moved to Idaho, but it had to be sometime before 1900.

Here are  pictures of them and their house. (Sorry they aren't the greatest quality)

In 1934 Victoria died, she was 88  years old, here is her Obituary.

It says:

"Many Hear Services For Mrs. G. Steward

Indian Valley - The family home was filled to capacity last Sunday afternoon at 2 O'clock when the friends of Mrs. G. E. Steward, pioneer of this section who passed away on March 29, assembled for the funeral services of the esteemed citizen. The services were conducted by Rev. Elliott whose splendid discourse was a tribute to the deceased and a comfort to the bereaved relatives and friends. This good couple had been a part parcel of the community life for so many years that they were held in an esteem equal to that of near relatives by all the people of Indian Valley and surrounding territory. Many floral pieces and flowers which banked the casket attested to the regard held for Mrs. Steward. Old age was regarded as the cause of her death as she was 88 years old when she passed away.
After the services the funeral cortege went to the Indian Valley cemetery where final rites were said as the casket was lowered into the earth.
Victoria Virginia Wheelhouse was born March 19 ,1846 in Lickon County, Ohio. When four years old she moved with her folks in a covered wagon to Polk City, Iowa, where she grew up to young womanhood. January 10, 1867 she married to George E. Steward, also of Polk City. They settled on a farm in Iowa and lived there for thirty years. To this union were born ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Four others proceeded her in death.
In 1895 they moved to their farm in Indian Valley where they resided until she passed away March 29, 1934, at the age of eighty-eight years and ten days.
Besides her aged husband, she leaves to mourn her death the following daughters: Elsie Ragan of Lincoln Nebr., Eliza Reeves of Portland Ore., and Modie Hutchison of this place. One son, Alva Steward of Caldwell, also thirty-three grandchildren, fifty great grand children and seven great great grand children.
While she was always ready to do her part in assisting with charitable and civic enterprises, her first devotion was to her home, husband and children. Her disposition was calm and friendly and she held the esteem of her friends as well as many casual acquaintances. It is needless to say that the people of this Valley mourn her death and extend sincere sympathy to the bereaved family and relatives."


In 1943 George passed away, he was 97 years old.

I'll share information about their children in my next blog post.

Clyde Emory Steward

Clyde Emory Steward (my Great Grandfather) was born in Iowa on November 14, 1886.

His parents are George Emory Steward and Victoria Virginia Wheelhouse.

What i know of him so far, is that he was born in Iowa and for sure by the time he was 14 (thanks to the 1900 census) he was in Indian Valley, Idaho.

Then in 1905 he married Jennie Hutchison. (The picture of her below was taken around 1890.)

And on January 16, 1907 they had their first child together, a son, Clarence H Steward.

In 1908 they had another child, a daughter, Jennie Steward. She was born on April 11 and on April 20th, Jennie Hutchison died (she was only 19 years old). Which leads me to believe it had to do with complications from the birth of her daughter, Jennie Steward. Although i can't be certain.

Below is Jennie's birth record

Clyde eventually moved on and married Grace Emily Ludwig.

I'm not certain when they married, but my guess would be sometime before 1912, cause that's when they had their first child together, a daughter, Georgie Victoria Steward.

Then in 1915 they had their second child together, a daughter, Gladys Steward.

And in 1917 they had their first son together, Harry Ludwig Steward.

In 1919 they had another daughter, Lucile.

In 1925 they had another daughter, Maxine.

And in 1927 they had another son, Karl. (My grandfather)

So all together Clyde had 8 children.

Then tragically on October 6th 1932 Clyde died in a farming accident, at the age of 45. Leaving behind his wife and children. He was buried with his first wife in Indian Valley.

Grace went on to live a full life, she died on April 12 1985 at the age of 94. She is also buried in Indian Valley.

This whole story is just so sad, Clyde marries Jennie only to have her die so young leaving him behind with their 2 young children. Clyde then remarries Grace only to die in a tragic accident and leave her behind with all the children. My heart breaks for everyone involved.

Here's what i can tell you about the kids...

Clarence (Jennie and Clyde's son), after his mother died, lived with his Grandparents (George and Victoria) for awhile. He then returned home to live with his father by the 1920 Census. On July 23 1926 he married Lillith Osburn, he was 19 years old. They had 4 daughters together: Roberta, Victoria, Kathaleen, and Pauline. Clarence died on October 26, 1969. He is buried in Indian Valley.

Jennie (Jennie and Clyde's daughter), after her mother's death, lived with several different people. First her Grandparents (George and Victoria) and then her Grandmother Anna (Jennie's mother) and her Uncle Clarence (Jennie's brother).

Which leads me to believe 2 things: 1) She never lived with her father again. and 2) her father must have blamed her for her mothers death.

I also believe she had a hard life. On June 13, 1925 (she was 17 years old) she married Harmon Manning. But before the 1930 census ,at the age of 22, they had divorce. I had the hardest time finding information about her, i'm still looking for more information on her. My heart breaks when i think of everything she must have gone through.


Georgie (Clyde and Grace's daughter) was born in Indian Valley on February 1, 1912 at 2:00 PM. She married Robert Dunham and they had some children together (I'm still trying to find out how many and all their names). After Robert died she eventually married again, to a man by the name of Newton T. Winfree. Georgie died on September 5, 2011 at the age of 99 years old. She is also buried in Indian Valley.

Gladys (Clyde and Grace's daughter) was born in Indian Valley sometime in 1915. She also married Harmon Manning (Jennie's ex husband), they were married on January 26, 1932 (Gladys was 17 years old). I don't know much more about Gladys, i'm having hard time finding information on her. I do know she passed away.

Harry (Clyde and Grace's son) was born in Indian Valley on February 13 1917. He moved to Utah sometime and married Ruth. He was a truck driver. I'm not sure if they had children or not. He passed away August 4 1961 at the age of 44. He is buried in Ogden, Utah. I also know he was in WWII. Below is his certificate of death and headstone.

Lucile (Clyde and Grace's daughter) was born in Indian Valley on April 20, 1919. She married Travis Yongue. I'm not sure if they had kids or not. She died January 13, 1995, she was 75 years old. She is buried in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Maxine (Clyde and Grace's daughter) was born in Indian Valley on April 25 1925. I don't have any information on her. All i know is she passed away on November 25, 2002.

Karl (Clyde and Grace's son) was born in Indian Valley. You can read about his life HERE.


If you have any information on any of the people listed above, i'd love to hear it.

Karl Steward

Since i'm not sure where exactly to begin, i thought probably the best place would be with my Grandfather, Karl.

(I took this picture my Aunt Darlene posted on Facebook, Thanks Aunt Darlene!)

Karl was born September 19, 1927 in Indian Valley, Idaho

His father is Clyde Emory Steward and his mother is Grace Emily Ludwig.

Unfortunately his father (Clyde) died when Karl was around 4 years old. He was raised by his Mother.

When Karl was 21 years old (October 12 1948) he married Louise Ann Ratcliff (she was 16). They dissolved their marriage soon after. (i can't find any record of when.)

Karl then married Norma Lou Claxton. (i'm unsure of when or where they got married, i can't find any record of it at all.)

In January of 1951 they welcomed their first child together, a son, Steve Steward.

Then in 1953 they had another child, a son, Randy Steward.

Then in 1955 they had another child, a son, Terry Steward.

Then February 6,1956 they had another child, a son, who was born sleeping. He was never named.

Then in June of 1957 they had another child, a son, Clyde Kelly Steward (My father).

They eventually moved to Ketchikan, Alaska.

Sometime after, Karl and Norma divorced. Karl remained in Ketchikan until about 2009? when he moved to Nevada.

I don't believe he ever remarried. ** Update: according to his obituary he did remarry, to a woman named Lynette  & they also divorced.**

Karl just recently (8/11/14) passed away at his home in Laughlin, Nevada. Below is his obituary, copied from this website.

Karl Emory Steward, 86 formerly of Indian Valley Idaho & Ketchikan, Alaska. Passed away at Western Regional Medical Center, Bullhead City, Arizona August 11, 2014 He had retired from Ketchikan to Laughlin, Nevada. He was born Sept. 19, 1927 on the family ranch in Indian Valley, Idaho to ranchers Clyde and Grace (Ludwig) Steward.
Karl graduated from Cambridge High School and went to work in a Shipyard as a Welder and then Karl enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was training to be a fighter pilot. When World War II abruptly ended, with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, pilots were no longer needed. Karl was released from the military and then attended Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. Karl later transferred to the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. Where he earned a degree in Accounting. In the 60's he worked for Clyde Rose, Payette, ID. And became a CPA.
In 1966 Karl moved to Ketchikan, with Norma and his boys. While in the process of their move, they nearly lost half of their double-wide mobile-home in the Fraser River, British Columbia. They arrived in Prince Rupert, Canada and the mobile home was shipped to Ketchikan on the Alaska Marine Highway. One can only imagine that process back in the 60's. Especially when the roads were graveled and very narrow. Many of his Idaho friends and family enjoyed going to Ketchikan for a vacation and spending time with him and his family. Karl loved entertaining them on his boat, going fishing for Halibut, Salmon and Red Snapper. He enjoyed commercial long-lining and sports fishing. Karl loved to Bowl and could be seen often at the Ketchikan Bowling Ally.
Karl came from an Idaho pioneer family. A couple of interesting footnotes about Karl's ancestry are that his great grandfather G.E. Steward once owned the property which is now known as The Starkey Hot Springs, near Council and that he sold the property to a Dr Starkey. His great grandfather built the largest barn in the State of Idaho and he also built the Indian Valley Store. The building and property was donated to the Idaho Odd Fellows and Hiawatha Rebekah's, who held their meetings in the upper floor of the building, up until it was condemned.
After moving to Ketchikan, Karl worked for Walt Shuham, as a CPA. Karl later started a CPA firm with Murray Simpson. After that he went to work for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough as the Tax Assessor. In 1972 he was elected the Borough Chairman. At that time the Ketchikan International Airport was nearly complete, it only lacked the Terminal Building. Karl did all the bond work to get funding for the new terminal building. While running for office Karl campaigned for a modern terminal. His opponent was in favor of installing an old Quonset hut for the terminal. Karl served on the Borough Assembly. He also owned Alaska Service Station on N. Tongass as well as the Anchor Inn with his wife Norma and partners Ron and Donna Sworden.
Karl married Norma Claxton and of that union they had 4 boys, Steve (Glenda) Boise, Sons Jason (Maria) & Gr-Grandson Alex, Emmett ID, Rob (Petrina) children Luke, Gabe & Stephany, Meridian, ID, Randy (Cynthia), Ketchikan, Children Joey (Kristy) Children Summer, Tyler and Jason, Chandler, AZ, Jillian (Joe) Nall Children Keely and Kobe Ketchikan, Johnny (Maryland) Javani (Star) Paddock son Star Jr (Gig Harbor WA.) Terry(Darlene) Weiser, ID, son Alan Las Vegas, NV, son Chase, CA. Kelly (Phyllis) Las Vegas, NV, daughters Amanda (Leo) James children Gavin, Gabrielle, Jacob, Lucas, Leo Jr., Kyle and Emmett, Ketchikan, Veronica (Andres) Matheous, Children Samuel, Dasean, Karina and Cruz, Culbertson, MT. Michelle (Bob) Chen Meridian, ID.
Karl and Norma divorced in 1974 and he married Lynette Loughlin (deceased) and they later divorced. Karl never remarried. He is also survived by long time companion Shirley Morgan, Laughlin, Nevada. He remained close friends with Norma and her husband Enoch (Butch) Lee. Norma passed away in 2004 of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Butch lives in Bothel, Washington.
Karl is proceeded in death by his parents Clyde and Grace Steward, his grandparents pioneers George E. And Victoria Steward his brother Harry, Half-Brother Clarence and sisters Georgie Winfree, Gladys "Shorty" Johnson, Lucille Young and Maxine "Mackie" Steward.
His final resting place is in the family plot in Indian Valley, Idaho. Officiating Isaac Ward.  Graveside services will be held at 1 PM at the Indian Valley Cemetery October 13, 2014. After the service there will be a gathering at the Indian Valley Community Hall.
*Obituary written by Darlene (Terry) Steward.

Welcome

Hi there,

I started my ancestry journey over a year ago and along the way I've found out some pretty exciting things and also some not so great things. I've decided to create this blog, as a way to be able to share everything i have found out, because to quote Chinese Proverbs "To forget one's ancestors is to be a book without a source, a tree without a root.".

Come along with me as we journey back in time.