The father of Harvey Merrifield is not known but his mother was Barsheba/Basheba Merrifield, probably the daughter of Samuel Merrifield, son of Richard, a Revolutionary War soldier. Richard's father, Samuel Merrifield, was born about 1720 and came to the America in 1747, originally settling in Winchester, Virginia. - Perhaps Barsheba was unmarried when she had sons, Calvin and Harvey Calvin Merrifield. About 1830, Barsheba married Benjamin Satterfield, a widower. She is found in the 1860 Census of Marion County, (West) Virginia living with Elijah Satterfield, presumably her son. The house listed before Elijah's was that of Barsheba's son, Nimrod Satterfield. The house listed after Elijah's was the home of Harvey Merrifield. In the house after Harvey's was Calvin Merrifield, probably Barsheba's older son.

Ida L. Merrifield, daughter of the Civil War veteran, attended one of the oldest churches in Marion County, the Pitcher Methodist Church at Dakota. She attended a one-room school which still stands on the hill above Route 19, near Rivesville.

On 28 Sep 1910, in Oakland, Garrett County, Maryland, Ida married Howard Napoleon Stewart, the son of Bushrod N. and Mary Jane (Swartz) Stewart. Howard was a widower and had two children, John and Gladys.

For many years Howard and Ida lived on a small farm in the Hampton Road area of Marion County. Howard worked in a coal mine by day and farmed in the evening. Tragically, on 29 August 1929, he was killed in an accident at the mine. At that time, he had seven children at home, the youngest only four years old.

The 1929 Accident Report from the State of West Virginia, #1507, details the circumstances of Howard Stewart's death:

     "What was the cause of the injury?
     "The injured with two other tipple men was pulling railroad cars back above the cross over switch on #2 track to bring over to #1 track so they could be loaded with run of mine coal and the rope was not long enough to pull the cars back above the switch the first car pull so they had to make the hitch in order to get the cars back far enough to clear the switch. Stewart cut off one car and went over across the tracks and waved to Davis who was running the yard engine, to pull them back and told the two men to let them come on in to the tipple as soon as they were back above the switch. As soon as the cars cleared the switch he waved Davis down and went back over to the car he had cut off and got up to the brake so when the cars bumped he could stop the car under the tipple and as the cars were coming over the cross over they struct the car that he was standing on over far enough to catch him and mashed him between the cars."

Howard N. Stewart did not die at the scene, according to his daughter, Esta. He was taken to Cook Hospital where he died of "traumatic fracture left 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th ribs - left Pneumothorax - Compound fracture of left humorus, radius and ulna."

When Howard Stewart first moved to Fairmont from Jefferson County, West Virginia, he was employed as a veterinarian for the horses that were used in the mines. Esta said she walked past the mine on her way home from school and sometimes the horses were being brought out of the mine. She said she was very afraid because she had been told that they went crazy when they there were first brought out.

The children of Howard and Ida L. Stewart: Wilmer W., Arnold W., Howard N., Jack (WWII veteran, dec.), Dorothea J., Marguerite C. & Esta B.

Esta Stewart, a student in the school of nursing at the Fairmont Emergency Hospital, was named Miss Fairmont, 1936.

Times West Virginian - December 23, 2012 -- Dorothea Jean Sloan, 91, of Fairmont, passed away Friday (Dec. 21, 2012) at her residence. She was born May 11, 1921, in Marion County, a daughter of the late Howard and Ida Merrifield Stewart. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Denzil H. Sloan. Mrs. Sloan was a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School and retired from Owens Illinois in Fairmont. She was a member of the Local Union No. 109, Glass Bottle Blowers Association, where she held several offices, including recording secretary. She formerly attended Faith Tabernacle Church in Taylor County. She especially loved cats and rescued many cats. Mrs. Sloan is survived by her son, Denzil W. Sloan of Reader; a brother, Howard Stewart and his wife Naomi of Meadville, Pa.; a sister, Esta Brower of Wichita Falls, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Buss Stewart, Margaret Stewart, Arnold Stewart and Jack Stewart. She is also preceded in death by an infant sister. Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Sloan’s memory to PURR West Virginia, 306 Beech St., Grafton, WV 26354. Friends and family may visit the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont on Monday from 1-5 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Delbert Lasure officiating. Entombment will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum in Fairmont.

Marguerite Stewart is a retired West Fairmont High School science teacher. In 1959, she became the first person in Marion County to receive the Valley Forge Classroom Teachers medal awarded by the Freedom's Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa. The award was designed to honor classroom teachers who have gone beyond the call of duty in inspiring young people to a better appreciation of freedom fundamentals (Newspaper article). She was also named "Marion County Teacher of the Year" by the Classroom Teachers Association.

Times West Virginian - August 11, 2004 -- Marguerite C. Stewart, 86, of Fairmont died Sunday (Aug. 8, 2004) at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown. She was born Nov. 27, 1917, in Fairmont, a daughter of the late Howard N. and Ida L. Merrifield Stewart. Ms. Stewart was a retired school teacher from the Marion County Board of Education. She was a former volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She was a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School, Fairmont State College and received her master's degree from West Virginia University. She was a volunteer for the Marion County Meals on Wheels. In 1967, Ms. Stewart, a biology teacher at Fairmont Senior High School, was named the Marion County Teacher of the Year. She was selected for her outstanding teaching ability, her extra school activities and the work she had contributed to community projects. She attended Summer Institute in Bridgewater, Mass., for training in biology science and worked in the Amateur Astronomers' Association. She was awarded the Valley Forge classroom teacher's medal and certificate by the Freedom's Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa. The medal honors teachers who, through their lives and works, have made significant contributions to a better understanding of the American way of life, and who gave gone beyond the call of duty in inspiring young people to a better appreciation of freedom fundamentals. Ms. Stewart was active in the work of the Girl Scouts of America. She directed camps over a period of 20 years in many sections of the United States. She also attended Senior Girl Scout Roundups in Michigan, Colorado and Vermont. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and Alpha Delta Kappa (an honorary teachers sorority, and was a life member of West Virginia Classroom Teacher's Association and the National Retired Teacher's Association. Ms. Stewart is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Naomi Stewart of Meadville, Pa.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Esta Brower of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Dorothea and Denzil Sloan of Fairmont; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Ms. Stewart was preceded in death by three brothers, Wilmer "Bus," Arnold and Jack Stewart; a half brother, John Stewart; an infant sister, Nelle Stewart; and a half sister, Gladys Stanard. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today and 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard A. Farmer officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Fairmont.

Esta (Stewart) Brower, R. N., married Oliver Brower and moved to Pittsburgh, Pa. Following Oliver's death in 1967, Esta resumed her nursing career. She was a private duty nurse for a number of patients from old and distinguished Pittsburgh families. Her only child, Oliver Larry, is a retired U.S.A.F. Colonel.

Esta Beatrice Brower, 101, of Wichita Falls, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2018. - Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls. - Esta was born on September 23, 1916 in Fairmont, West Virginia to Howard N. and Ida L. (Merrifield) Stewart. A Fairmont, West Virginia native, Esta served as Miss Fairmont, West Virginia in 1936. She married Oliver L. Brower and they spent most of their years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church of Pennsylvania. Esta worked as a Registered Nurse for many years. She was a longtime square dancer, folk dancer and dance instructor. In 2008, she moved to Wichita Falls to be closer to her family. - She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Ida Stewart; her husband, Oliver L. Brower; four brothers, Wilmer, Howard, Arnold and Jack Stewart; three sisters, Marguerite Stewart, Nellie Stewart, and Dorothea Sloan; a half-brother, John Stewart; and half-sister, Gladys Stannard. - She is survived by her son, Oliver Larry Brower, Jr. and daughter-in-law Susan of Wichita Falls; sister-in-law, Naomi Stewart of Meadville, Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews. - In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund, 4600 Taft Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76308. - The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Presbyterian Manor, Perkins-Prothro Health Care, Dr. Isaac Butterworth and the Deacons and friends from First Presbyterian Church of Wichita Falls for their devoted care and concern. - Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com

Howard N. Stewart is currently serving as a supervisor for Vernon Township, Crawford County, Pa. During his career, he was a policeman and later served numerous terms as sheriff of Crawford County.

Howard Neil Stewart, 91, of 10287 Krider Road, Meadville, died Monday, June 29, 2015, peacefully at his home following a period of declining health. His family will always admire and respect him for his courageous spirit exemplified throughout his last days. Howard was born Aug. 10,1923, in Fairmont, W.Va., to Ida C. and Howard Stewart. He was a graduate of Fairmont West High School where he played football and the cornet in the band. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Wilmer, Arnold and Jack Stewart; and two sisters, Dorothy Sloan and Margarite Stewart. One surviving sister, Esta Brower, resides in Wichita Falls, Texas. Three nephews, Wilmer Stewart Jr., Arnold (Sonny) Stewart Jr., and Denzel Sloan Jr., and one niece, Becky Dernier, also survive. In 1945, Howard married Mina Shull who later passed on June 16, 1987. He then married Naomi Chick Custard on Oct. 1, 1989. She survives. Howard was a loving, generous husband as well as a loving and generous father to Naomi’s five children: Mona Stearns (Gene), Darla Goodman (Finley), Randall Byham (Lois), Rhonda Stevenson (Richard) and Kendra Gaub (Chris). Howard was a benevolent grandfather to their 11 grandchildren: Charlotte Muckinhaupt, Mark Stearns (Nadine), Krista Godlewski (John), Jack Byham, Jeff Byham (Nina), Trina Knauff (Dave), Kaylan Stevenson, Jay Byham, Shane Goodman, Kacee Gaub and Keegan Gaub. Howard delighted in their three great-grandchildren: Riley Stearns, Melissa Knauff and one soon expected. For more than 25 years of marriage, Howard’s family has always enjoyed his childhood stories of growing up in coal-mining West Virginia’s depression era, his tales of playing football for Meadville’s semi-professional team during the early ’50s and playing on the Viscose horseshoe team, as well as thrilling retellings of tense incidents from his years of police work. He could hold his family captive with compelling stories long after a meal had ended. Howard also greatly enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends as well as coaching his grandsons with great success. He always greeted everyone with a genuine, friendly smile; a warm, firm handshake; and before long left all laughing with his endless supply of jokes. At the start of his working career, Howard recalled doing body and fender repair in a car shop for a dollar per day. Other jobs included running a supply store for a state hospital, being a security guard for a West Virginia prison, driving bus for Blue Ridge Lines, a West Virginia transportation company, and working in the American Viscose powerhouse burning coal to make steam-generated electricity. Howard was certainly a “jack-of-all-trades” as he also worked on the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, labored as a construction worker at PPG and other building sites, and held many part-time jobs running heavy equipment and working for Layke Tool for 16 years as a cutter and grinder. In 1954, Stewart became a Meadville City police officer, a position he held for 20 years. Additionally, Stewart was a security guard at Conneaut Lake Park and later was the park’s police chief for two years. During his law enforcement career, Stewart pursued advanced training at many locations. He attended the University of Southern California and Colorado College where he obtained certification in police administration and management of correctional facilities. To learn procedures for handling hostage situations and terrorist attacks, Stewart attended FBI seminars in Boardman, Ohio. From Indiana University, Stewart completed coursework in law enforcement and police administration. Stewart was an avid and accomplished marksman who received firearms training at Mercyhurst College. Stewart was certified as a National Rifle Association police firearms instructor and also a member of the Meadville Rifle and Pistol Team. In July of 1968, Stewart received commendation from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Ian D. MacLennan for a competitive marksman feat accomplished by “only one of about 100,000 police officers.” In 1976, Stewart was elected to his first public office as Crawford County sheriff. After that Stewart served as county sheriff for 16 years, being re-elected three consecutive times. Additionally, he served as warden for the Crawford County jail as well as supervisor of the Emery Radio Control Room (now known as Crawford County Control); he held both positions for 12 years. Besides being a past board member of the Meadville YMCA, Stewart was a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Pennsylvania Prison Wardens’ Association and past president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 97. From 1994 to 2006, Stewart was elected to serve two, six-year terms as a Vernon Township supervisor. Stewart said he was “happy to have served the citizens of Vernon Township for 12 years.” Further he stated that “he tried to be conscious of costs to taxpayers during his tenure on the board.” To those who worked with him and were served by him, the title of “public servant” truly befits Howard Stewart’s legacy. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and community as a man who loved to live and to share life to the fullest. Family and friends are invited to call Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at New Beginnings Church of God, 13226 Leslie Road, Meadville, where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., with Pastor Temple Jarrell officiating. Howard will be laid to rest in Greendale Cemetery, West Mead Township. Share a memory or condolence at miznerfuneralhome.com. --Published on June 30, 2015

Jack Stewart, a World War II veteran, died in 1996. He was a sergeant and served as an airplane mechanic with the U. S. Marines.

Arnold W. Stewart, a millwright, died in 1999.

Wilmer W. Stewart, a mine worker, died in 1995.