Stewart McGaw is a prominent farmer of Fitchburg, in which town he has had his residence since the days of his childhood. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, in September, 1843, and his parents were Samuel and Mary (Hughes) McGaw, both of whom were also natives of the Emerald Isle. In 1849 the father migrated with his family to America and for a time worked as a helper in a foundry at Patterson, N. Y. He then continued his journey westward to the city of Chicago, where for one year he was employed in the McCormick machine works, having charge of the entire plant. He had been an acquaintance of the senior Mr. McCormick in Ireland. After leaving the McCormick Machine Co., Mr. McGaw came to the city of Madison where he was first employed as a carpenter assistant in the erection of buildings, and later worked as a common laborer for two years, after which he took a farm on conditions of taking good care of the timber and paying the taxes. On this place he broke forty-five acres of new ground, and he lived thereon until 1867, when he bought a tract of ninety-five acres in the town of Fitchburg. where the subject of this review now resides. There the father and mother lived the remainder of their allotted years, the mother dying in February, 1874, and the father passing away in 1892. They were the parents of eleven children, only three of whom are now living: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Thomas McFadden; James, who resides in Patterson, N. J., and Stewart, whose name introduces this memoir. Our subject received his education in the district schools of the town of Fitchburg and remained at home with his parents until the death of his mother, soon after which he was married and has since continued to reside at the old homestead. The date of his marriage was May 14, 1874, and the lady of his choice was Miss Mary Steele, who is also a native of Ireland, born September 15, 1854, daughter of William and Margaret (Cammel) Steele; her parents now reside in Evansville, Wis. Mrs. McGaw is one of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Steele, and eight are now living: Jennie, Thomas, Margaret, William, Robert, Ida and Tina—all residing at or near Evansville, and Mary who is the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. McGaw are the parents of eight children: Mary married Edward Haight, and resides in Milwaukee; Lizzie M. married John Sommers, and resides in Syene; James is deceased; Matilda resides at home; Jennie is deceased; Samuel and Ida M. reside at home, and Cecil is deceased. Mr. McGaw is a Democrat in his political affiliations, but has never aspired to official position, preferring to give his undivided attention to his agricultural interests.

History of Dane County, Madison, Western Historical Association, 1906, Page 586