The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-06
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENTS,
Alexander II. Stewart. the Secretary of
the Treasury,

was born near the city Of Belfast, in Ireland,
about The year 1903. He was OF Scotch-Irish
extraction, his ancestry Deing OF the scottish
stock who emIgrated many years ago TO the
North OF Ireland, and thence sent so many sturdy
al d successful representatives 10 the Ne y World.
Before Mr.. Stewart was eight years Old both his
parents died. and he was left without any near
relatives except his ma'ernal grandfa' her, man
OF great piety by wnom home was provided
for the otherwise frlcndless youth, and the op-
portunity afforded him of receiving a hberl
education. 1t was the earnest wish OF his
grandfather that he should become minister
OF the Gospel, and, with this purpose in view he
was at Cnce put upon course Of academic
study to prepare him for The University. He
always stood high in mis- classes, and took his
degree at Trinity College. Dublin, before he had
reached his twentieth year. While he was a.
college his grandfather dle1, and Quaker
friend was appointed his guardian, through
whom he OBJ AIMED letters OF introduction from
promiI ent members OF the Society of Friends
in Ireland 10 leading merchants of that So
ciety in New York. He landed in New York
in 1928, being then scarcely twenty years
of age, and Tor q brief period after his
arrival here was engaged in teaching. His
letters of introduction gave him access to
the best soc ETY., in which his pleasing address
and fine attachments soon made him tavorite.
He determiued 10 devote hlmself 10 a calling
that wonld be likely to insure better returns
than the underpald occupation to which he
first gave his attention, and 10 connection with
9n experienced business man he entered upon
mercantile pursuits. Where he was to be
merely partner contributing q part of the
capital, he soon found himself alone, charged
with the responsibility OF the whole business.
He at OIL ce went back to Ireland, con Inverted the
fortune he had inherited into monev, and in
vested lhe whole sum IN goods, PRINCIPALLY Bel.
fast laces. with wh ch he returned to New York
and opened his s. ore.
His business increased So rapidly that 10 a
few years he had anassed a colossal fortune,
and Tor every year Of The nearly hall q century
tb at Tia s city has been his home rumor credits
him with The acquisition OF a million of liars.
HIS buslnessIs very large, and includes those
OF re aller, jubber, importer, and manufacturer,
ard 1t is doue upon actual capital, the whole
machinery beng direcIed and controlled by the
mind that created 1t. He irsG did business in
Broadway, near Warren street, bat be after
the site OF the down town" store, and
erected IN lis place the building at
Chan bers street and Broadway, which he still
occupies, and which was the pioneer of the
marble structures in that part OF the great
thoropeh'aTe.
In 1s47, when the Irish people were suffering
| from famine, Mr.. Stewart chartered an American
| ship and filing 1t with American provisions,
selt II to Belfast as al American gift TO Ireland
| But the gift had another meaning. He had
| carefully a,cerianed the amount of the fortune
| he brought with him, with the interest added
! to IT, and considering this debt to the countrS
OF his nativity, he resolved 10 pay it upon
he contributed $4,000 10 Inc relief O
| the Lancashire operatives. Mr.. Stewart wa,
| one of the American representatives at the
| Paris Exposition OF 1867. Previous to the re
| beilion he was generally understood to be o.
| Deu ocratic procliVities, but during that strug
| gle he was strenuous supporter of the utho
4 rity of the Federal Government. He was ont
| of the earliest supporters of General Grant fol
| the Presidency was on the electoral ticket IL
| New York IN the last campaign. and since III,
| wal has been thoroughly identified with th,
| Republican party.