Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

1914. The following year and a half were
spent at Cornell University studying mechanical
engineering. For a year he was
with the Connecticut State Dairy Department
testing cows, and this led him to
enter the retail milk business on his own
account. He purchased the business of
T. B. Woodruff, and until May i, 1920,
continued alone. On that date he formed
a partnership with Samuel J. Stewart, of
Norwalk, under the name of The Norwalk
Dairy Company. On October i,
1921, they bought the business of Charles
H. Hawxhurst, and at the same time
Clarence Seymour was admitted to the
firm and became vice-president. They do
a large and profitable business; Mr. Beers
is very well fitted for his work through
training and experience, and their suc-
cess is assured.
Mr. Beers married Gladys Louise Olm-
stead, daughter of Gilson and Caroline
Olmstead, of North Wilton, Connecticut.
Mrs. Beers is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, while her husband at-
tends the Congregational.
STEWART, Samuel J.,
Business Man,
By perseverance and application, Sam-
uel J. Stewart has so utilized his life as to
render it of value not only to himself but
to others. Prominent as a citizen and as
a man of highest integrity, he is in every
sense of the phrase a self-made man. Mr.
Stewart's surname is one of the oldest
in English records. Originally it was derived
from the occupation of steward, and
was the name assumed by the Fitz Wal-
ters and the Fitz Allans from their office
of steward of the Royal household, and
destined to become famous through their
deeds. In the Hundred Rolls (1274) the
name of Hugh le Steward is found. Other
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
spellings of the name are: Styward, Stu-
art and Stuard.
The Stewart family, of which Samuel
J. Stewart is a scion, was early settled in
New York State. Thomas B. Stewart,
his father, was born in Brooklyn, where
he grew to manhood. He was bom in
1842, and died in 191 1. As a young man
he went to Orange county, and there was
engaged in dairy farming throughout his
active life. He married Mary F. Baird,
daughter of John Baird, of Warwick, Orange
county, New York. They were the
parents of the following children : Samuel
J., of further mention ; Julia, wife of Frank
Laroe, and a resident of North Beverly,
Massachusetts; and Mary, wife of J. B.
Laroe, residing in Sugar Loaf, Orange
county. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were members
of the Episcopal church at Warwick.
Samuel J. Stewart, son of Thomas B.
and Mary F. (Baird) Stewart, was born
February 2, 1871, in Bellvale, Orange
county. New York, and was reared on the
home farm in Warwick. He attended the
district schools, and while still in his teens
went to Brooklyn, where he entered the
employ of the Tuttle & Bailey Manufac-
turing Company, manufacturers of ventilators.
It did not take very long for Mr.
Stewart to discover that he could not
stand the confinement of indoor work, so
after a little more than a year he entered
the employ of the Meadowbrook Dairy
Company, of Brooklyn, where he remained
about two years. When he was
nineteen he bought a milk route and went
into business for himself, and after about
five years formed a partnership with Ira
C. Hunter, under the firm name of Stewart
& Hunter. That continued about two
years and then Mr. Stewart disposed of
his interests, removing at the same time
to Sugar Loaf, Orange county, where he
bought a farm and became a milk pro-