Thomas J. Stewart
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Thomas J. Stewart | |
|---|---|
| Adjutant General of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1895–1917 | |
| Preceded by | Walter W. Greenland |
| Succeeded by | Frank D. Beary |
| Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1887–1895 | |
| Preceded by | J. Simpson Africa |
| Succeeded by | Isaac B. Brown |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 11, 1848 |
| Died | September 11, 1917 (aged 69) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Quaker City Business College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | Union Army Pennsylvania National Guard |
| Years of service | 1865 (Army) 1869–1917 (National Guard) |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Third Battle of Petersburg Battle of Sailor's Creek Spanish–American War |
Thomas Jameson Stewart (September 11, 1848 – September 11, 1917) was an Irish-born American politician and military officer who served as Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1895 and Adjutant General of Pennsylvania from 1895 until his death in 1917.
Stewart was born September 11, 1848 near Belfast.[1][2] His family immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1849. He attended public schools in Norristown, Pennsylvania until he was fifteen. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the 138th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and served during the final months of the American Civil War.[3] He participated in the Third Battle of Petersburg and the Battle of Sailor's Creek. He was honorably discharged on June 23, 1865.[4] In 1867, Stewart graduated from Quaker City Business College and worked as an clerk and bookkeeper. In 1868, he opened a writing school in Norristown. From 1872 to 1885, he was secretary and treasurer for the Waterford Glass Company.[3]
Politics
Stewart represented Montgomery County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1885 to 1886.[2] He served on the committee that found the location for and established the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home.[1] Stewart served as a trustee of the Home and from 1889 to 1896 was a trustee of Pennsylvania's Soldiers' Orphan Schools.[3]
Stewart was elected Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania in 1886 and reelected in 1890.[1] He withdrew from the 1894 election before the Republican convention.[5] He resigned before the end of his final term to become Adjutant General.[1]
Pennsylvania National Guard
Stewart joined the Pennsylvania National Guard's Norris City Rifles in 1869. He rose through the ranks, becoming adjutant of the sixth regiment infantry in 1879 and assistant adjutant general of the first brigade in 1890. On January 15, 1895, he was appointed Adjutant General of Pennsylvania by Governor Daniel H. Hastings. He was reappointed by Governors William A. Stone, Samuel W. Pennypacker, Edwin Sydney Stuart, John K. Tener, and Martin Grove Brumbaugh. Stewart commanded the guard during the Spanish–American War.[3]