The following exhibit of the churches he established and served is as nearly correct as it is possible at this date to make it.

Post officeChurchServicesChurchWorkMembersYears
beganorgan-droppedof
izedby Stewartservice
Doaksville1856
Pine Ridge1858
Caddo1860
Horse Prairie18631870?189027
WheelockOak Hill1868186918933025
GoodlandHebron1868187218901222
FrogvilleNew Hope1869?1872?18903821?
GrantBeaver Dam1874188118901516
EagletownSt. Paul1877187818901813
LukfataMt. Gilead188318851890257
WheelockForest18851887189378
145

About 1890, he moved to a home near Forest church, and died there at 73, April 8, 1896; after an aggressive ministry of more than twenty-five years after his licensure, which had been preceded by nearly ten years of earnest volunteer service for the betterment of his people. He was buried in the Crittenden grave yard.

He left three children, the offspring of his marriage to Catherine Perry, namely, Thomas, Betty married to Benjamin Roebuck, and Harriet, married to Rev. Pugh A. Edwards.

In 1886, after the death of Catherine, he married the widow of Jeffers Perkins, and she died at 65 in 1905, survived by seven of twelve children by her first marriage, namely, Charles and Louis Perkins, Mrs. R. D. Arnold, Fredonia Allen, Virginia Williams (d. 1913), Fidelia Murchison and Jane Parrish.

CHARACTERISTICS AS A PREACHER

Charles W. Stewart was a man of medium height and rather stout build. The rugged features of his face suggested a man, possessing strong and sturdy elements of character. He grew to manhood under circumstances and changes that made an early education impossible. His education, which was very limited was acquired by the private study of a primer, catechism, Bible and other books, furnished him by Mrs. Stewart, his real owner, and, Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury (d. 1870).

Parson Stewart was a faithful christian worker, who did not become weary in well doing. He made his long journeys on horseback. He endeavored to arrive at his monthly appointments the previous day so as to have time for the discipline or reinstatement of wayward members, or hold an evangelistic meeting. He manifested so much of hopeful enthusiasm in his work that he seemed unmindful of the loneliness and wearisomeness of the long journeys in the wilderness and regarded it merely as a passing incident, when he had to spend a day or even a night in the timber, waiting for the overflow of flooded streams to subside, so he could safely ford them.

He was an aggressive christian worker. He strived to preach the gospel, "not where Christ was named, lest he should build upon another man's foundation," but, as it is written, "To whom he was not spoken of they shall see, and they that have not heard shall understand." He was on the alert to hear the cry of Macedonia, "Come over and help us," and he was always ready to enter and hold a new field while his strength lasted. When he was licensed, all the land of the Choctaw Nation seemed to be spread out before him, as his field of effort, as the land of Canaan was before Joshua, when the Lord encouraged him to be "strong, very courageous and possess it," for his people. He knew he had the "book of the law," that his people needed and his whole nature seemed to be enthused with the promise, "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you." His ambition, to carry the message of gospel light and liberty into new settlements of his people, was limited by the necessity laid upon him, to continue to serve those he had already acquired.

He was an enthusiastic Presbyterian. He frequently delighted, as well as instructed the people, by explaining to them the Bible, by repeating familiar portions of the shorter Catechism and Confession of Faith. These were his most familiar and best commentaries on the Bible. He encouraged the elders, to become leaders of meetings, and teachers of the people, by maintaining regular Sabbath services, for the study of the Bible and Catechism, to promote their spiritual welfare.