Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-02-04
FAIL URE OF A GREAT MAN.
GEORGE II. STUART, PHILADELPHlAs
MERCHANT PRINCE AND PHlLAH.
THRopIsT. ovBRwHELMED
HIS LONG CAREER

merchant prince, George IL. stuart, oil
Philadelphia, has gone out of business,
leaving his affairs at the mercy Of an
English liquidator. The large estab-
lishment on Strawberry street, above
Chestnut, where the house of "Stuart
a. Brother, limited" has been land
mark for years, Is closed and silent. II
has been sold, and Mr.. Stuart, the head
Of the ancient firm, occupies his office
there only by courtesy. The account
books of the concern, dating back fifty
years, are piled up ready tor removal.
With these, also, are several large
chests containing letters Of the United
States Christian Commission, and
box full of watches and valuables,
which agents of this commission found
upon the bodies of dead soldiers on the
battlefield, but which, though adver-
tised and otherwise brought within the
reach of claimants, had any existed,
could never find owners.
Last Summer the Liverpool house Of
the Stuarts became involved through
English transactions, thereby the house
in Philadelphia was forced into
liquidation. All its obligations, how.
ever, except such as sprang directly
from its connection with the English
house, were met David Stuart is the
one living of four brothers who consti-
tuted the Liverpool firm, and he for sew
eral years has been helpless invalid.
The house was swept away, after half
a century Of high standing, in the En-
glish panic Of last year, and its down
fall has carried the Philadelphia philan.
thropist along with it.
George II. Stuart was born in Ire
land IN 1876. He came to this country
in 1885. lie was an ardent member
of the First Reformed Presbyterian
church, which has derived much Of its
prosperity from his generous contribu.
tions. He was a warm supporter 10
the missionary cause, and is manager
and Vice President Of the American
Sunday School Union. But bis best
known philanthropic work was done
when he was the head Of the United
States Christian Commission. He
raised $4,000, 900 to supply the soldiers
with spiritual and material comforts.
On one occasion, after the battle Of
Gettysburg, he telegraphed TO Boston,
"Can l draw on you for $4,000 at
sight ?" The telegram was posted in
the Boston exchange, and in half an
hour the answer came back, "Draw
for 100000
Mr.. Stuart in 1868 was suspended by
the general synod Of his church, on the
charge of having sung hymns and com.
muned with members Of other evangeli-
cal denominations. This act of discipline
was widely condemned, and led TO
suspension Of their relations with the
synod OF number OF Presbyteries.
Mr.. Stuart was director In many In
surance and Trust Companies. Since
1873 he has been President of the Me-
chanics' National Bank Of Philadel-
phia, which was the only salaried Office
in his possession.
Forney's Progress pays him this
handsome compliment in late num-
ber (: How to bear prosperity is the
text Of many a sermon, but how to
bear adversely demands a very differ
ent philosophy. The case of man
who falls from wealth and ease by no
act OF his own into almost hopeless
privation, and bears his change Of life
with cheerful and accomplishing tran
guilty, is that spectacle for the praise
of the gods of which the Pagan poet
spoke when he referred to q brave soul
struggling with misfortune. Such
case is that of my friend George II.
Stuart, of this city, known all over this
country as a model merchant, who had
grown TO commanding wealth by sue.
cessiul efforts, and whose generosity
and energy in all humane and patri-
otto efforts made his HE a round Of
happy contribution to the welfare of
his adopted country. Suddenly he
finds his large fortune swept from un-
der his feet by the failure Of another
whose endorser he had become. He
surrendered all to the creditors, and
now in his old age, over seventy, lives
in rented house, yet meets his friends
every day with the sweet smile Of con.
scious integrity and the proud content
resulting from q well.ordered and hon
orable life. The sacrifice must have
been terrible to such man, but the
noble manner in which he mado it, and
the iortitude with which he bears it,
make altogether an example that will
be more useful TO Others than all his
liberal gifts to humanity. George IL.
Stuart is still ono of the finest instances
of a good citizen.