William Stewart

William Stewart (July 24, 1803 – March 21, 1856) was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada and Canada West. An immigrant from Scotland, he settled in Bytown (now Ottawa) where he was active in business and public life. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, serving from 1843 to 1847. He died in Toronto in 1856, while representing the interests of the city of Ottawa. Early life and family Stewart was born in Carbost, Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye, Scotland in 1803 to Ranald Stewart and Isabella McLeod. After his father's death in 1816, Stewart and his family, consisting of his recently widowed mother, grandmother, uncle, and nine siblings, emigrated to Upper Canada. Landing in Quebec City, Lower Canada, they settled in Glengarry County, Upper Canada, an area with a large Scottish population. In 1838, Stewart returned to Skye to marry Catherine Stewart, his first cousin once removed. They married at Cuidrach on the Isle of Skye, and honeymooned in London. They had five daughters and four sons. Stewart was fluent in both English and Scots Gaelic, and acquired a working knowledge of French.