J. F. Stewart - Albion, Ill.  is a private label in Seth Thomas 18-size hunting Model 5. Based upon U.S. Census records, available genealogies, and death records; John Finley Stewart, born July 5, 1852, in Rutland Vermont, was later a dry goods merchant in Albion, Edwards County, Illinois, where he died on January 4, 1946. The dry goods business was named J. F. Stewart in the 1800’s and later J. F. Stewart & Son.

I recently purchased the 20mm round aluminum trade token shown below that is marked “J. F. Stewart / Albion, Ill.”.  It provides confirmation of the presence of a merchant with this name operating in Albion during the late 19th or early 20th century when this style of trade token was used.  This is a link to view other J. F. Stewart Trade Tokens at the TokenCatolog.com website.

Albion Illinois is the county seat of Edwards County Illinois. The postcards below show The Pagoda built by the Women’s Beautifying Club of Albion in the county Courtyard Square. The Pagoda contains a mineral well and was used as a bandstand for concerts held every Saturday evening in the summer.  The courthouse is behind The Pagoda in one 1913 photograph, and in the other 1910 photograph the 5th Street block where the J. F. Stewart & Son store was located until its closing in the early 2020’s is in the background.

There was also another Stewart’s Dry Goods [and Jewelry Store] in Albion run by Charles and Edwin Stewart (sons of Alexander Stewart) in the 1890’s; but that store and that Stewart family were not connected in any way to the J. F. Stewart inscribed on this Seth Thomas Model 5 pocket watch.