Reuben Stewart was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., January 22, 1819. In 1838 lie was engaged in mercantile business in Saratoga county, which occupation he continued until 1840, when he became a contractor in making the enlargement of the Erie canal, New York, also in building the GrotOn Water Works, at Harlem, N. Y., and the Hartford & New Haven R. R., at New Hartford and Meriden. During the building of the Cheshire railroad, he was engaged as clerk, paymaster and foreman of contractors. Since 1848, he has been in the employ of the Cheshire Railroad Co., being successively as freight-clerk, chief-clerk, general ticket-agent, general freight-agent, cashier, auditor, assistant superintendent, and, in 1864, he was appointed superintendent, which position he held until 1878. Since then he has been general manager, and clerk of the corporation. He has served the city of Keene two years as mayor, and two years as alderman. He married Caroline E. Cowles, of Saratoga county, N. Y., in 7842, and has had born to him six children, five of whom are living, as follows: Mary E., who married H. D. Rolfe, of Pittsburg, Pa., Ida L., who married George A. Brown, of Keene, C. Janette, who married T. W. Towle, of North Attleboro, Mass., Kate I., who married Rev. G. W. Rigler, of Salem. 0., and M. Louisa, who married G. F. Weston, of Providence, R. I.
