Regimental Number: M 4254
Rank: Private
Charles, born on December 3, 1925 at Bezanson, was the youngest of Charles (Charlie) Sr. and Charlotte (Lottie) Stewart’s four children; Clara 1914, George Clayton (Bud) 1918 and Doris 1920. Charles Sr. had moved with his parents, George and Sophia in 1912 to Edgerton and Wainwright where they filed homestead applications. While in Wainwright, Charlie met and subsequently married Charlotte Thomas on March 1, 1913 after which the Stewart’s decided to move to Northern Alberta. They travelled over the Edson Trail to reach Bezanson in November 1913 – a trip that took three weeks. Charlie’s father had earlier applied for a homestead (SE 35-71-3-W6) for him by proxy on May 12, 1913. A small log cabin was built on Charlie’s land and the family lived there for ten years until the senior Stewart’s decided to move to Detroit, Michigan in 1923. Shortly thereafter, Charlie moved his family into his parent’s large two-story log home that had originally been built in 1913. Chuck and his siblings all completed their education at the One-Room Bezanson School.
On October 31, 1944, Chuck enlisted with the Army at Calgary, Alberta and trained at the Canadian Infantry Training Centre. Private Stewart was discharged on demobilization on October 18, 1945 and returned home to Bezanson.
In 1946, Phyllis Mattoon had been hired as the teacher for the Bezanson School. As the Stewart’s lived in close proximity to the school, Chuck soon met the new teacher and they subsequently married in July 1947. They resided on Chuck’s father’s property (SW 36) until 1949 when they built a home on SE 35-71-3-W6 and later purchased the land. They eventually purchased SW 36-71-3-W6 which was the original homestead of George Stewart along with the NE 35-71-3-W6. Chuck and Phyllis had four children; Cherry born in 1950, Marvin in 1953, Shannon in 1955 and Creston in 1960. Not only did the Stewart’s farm but they also worked off the farm – Phyllis continued to teach at various schools in the area and Chuck worked for various employers including the Feed Mill and I.C.G Propane in Grande Prairie. They also raised Montodale Sheep which were at one time, the only sheep of that specific breed in Alberta. Chuck and Phyllis eventually divorced and Phyllis remained on the farm and Chuck moved to Grande Prairie. On retirement, Chuck spent many hours fishing and it was on one of his fishing trips to Snipe Lake that he drowned on September 28, 1985. He was buried at the Glen Leslie Cemetery. Phyllis passed away in 2019 and was buried next to Chuck.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Smoky River to Grande Prairie History Book