St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-26
A PUBLIC LOSS.
The Sudden Death Last Evening OF
DR.. j. H. Stewart.
One of st. Pauls Best and Most
Beloved Citizens.

shock as that of last evening when the
word went about from lip to lip, 'sDr. Stew
art is dead.''
| While the doctor has not been in robust
health for over year, he has been attending
to his large practice and greeting his patients
with his usual CHEEKY air, which often did more
to ensure their recovery than medicine.
He made his round of visits yesterday morn
ing and spent the afternoon in his office in
the basement of his residence at No $40
Washington street. The calls of patients
were numerous, as usual, and all were duly
attended until p. m, the close of his daily
Office hours. He then went to his bed room
on the second floor, saying to his wife that
he had a terrible headache. and placing his
| hand on the back of his head, lay down
upon the bed and in fifteen min
utes was unconscious. DR.. Hand
who lives in the adjoining block,
was hastily summoned, and upon examining
the dying man found that he was suffering
from rupture of blood vessel in the brain.
DR.. Hand gave it as his opinion that he
might survive some time, though paralysis
was liable to ensue, but in short time a
second rupture occurred, and at p. m. he
was dead, without ever regaining conscious
ness or speaking n word.
| His son-in-law and partner, DR.. G. A..
| Wheaton, anticipating nothing of this terrible
character, had left at noon for brief chicken
shooting expedition on the Manitoba road.
He was summoned home by telegraph and
by aid of special engine sent out to meet
him was expected to arrive during the night.
DR.. j. Fl. Stewart, whose sudden death is
| thus recorded, was born in Connecticut in
January 1929, and was consequently in his
ffty-fiftE year. When quite young he re-
moved to Peekskill, New York, where he re-
sided until he removed to st. Paul. He
studied medicine with his father, DIR. P. H.
Stewart. He graduated from the University
Of New York in 1851, and in 1855 COM
menced the practice of medicine in Peekskill
The climate of Minnesota attracted
him here, and in May, 1855,
he came to st. Paul, opening an Office
in the second story of frame building
standing on the corner of Third and Waba-
! shaw street, on ground now occupied by the
McQuillan block. His skill and geniality
! secured him large practice in short time,
and he at once became one of the leading
physicians of the city, position which he
! held, Notwithstanding some attention to pol
itics, until his death. In October, 1857, he
was married to Miss Sweeny, sister of R.
o. Sweeny the well known
druggist, and also sister of Mrs.
w. L. Banning, the wedding taking
| placed at the residence of Mr.. Banning.
When the war broke out in 1861 he joined
the First Minnesota as surgeon, and was the
first surgeon mustered in the service of the
government ut the time of the rebellion.
He accompanied the regiment to the front
and at the time of the first battle of Bull Run
on the 21st of July, 1861, he was captured by
the rebels and conveyed a prisoner to Rich
mond. He was finally released on parole
and returning home was appointed examin-
ing surgeon for the state, a position which he
held until the war closed.
In his medical practice he was the kindest
and most generous of men. In fact he
built up his practice and reputation by his
kindness TO the poorer classes, whom he
faithfully served without questioning theii
ability to compensate him. No suffering
mortal ever called on him for aid without
receiving the benefit of his skill, and the
cheerful alacrity with which he always re-
sponded, night or day, regardless of weather
or other adverse circumstances, endeared
him to early settlers of st. Paul, and hun
dreds who read these lines will feel that it is
record of the loss of personal rather than Q
professional friend
His kindness ar ....iity received
practical recognition Nh he was nomi
mated on the Republican ticket for mayor in
1864, and though the city was overwhelm
ingly Democratic, he was triumphantly
elected. The following year he was appointed
postmaster and held that position for five
years. In 1869 he was again nominated fol
mayor and again elected. In 1871 and 1S7:
he was reelected, serving three successive
terms, his popularity being so great that i
was absolutely useless for the Democrats t.
attempt to defeat him. He would un
doubleday have been continued in the may
orality but for his positive declination Il
longer serve in that capacity.
In 1S76-Centennial y ear--he was nomi
mated by the Republicans of this district fo
congress- his Democratic opponent being
Hon. W. w. McNair, of Minneapolis. Tit
campaign was most sharply contested, but h,
was elected and served one term with abilit,
and faithfulness, and his retirement from
congress was always a source Of keen regre
to the great mass of his constituents.
Returning from Washington he resumed
his medical duties and his practice assumed
larger proportions than ever, an absence o.
two years not having in the least impaired
his hold upon the public. He was appointed
surveyor general of the state by Presiden
Hayes in 1870 and served four years, retirin!
froln that position when the term for which
he was appointed expired in 1888.
With the exception of the period when he
was in Congress, he always maintained hi:
large medical practice. In fact, so firmly
was he entire lched in the affection of tn,
people that nothing but his absolute absence
from the city could prevent his being calico
upon for medical aid, and having more bust
ness thrust upon him than his physical abilit,
could meet. After returning from Congress
he formed a partnership with DR.. C. A
Wheaton under the firm name o
Stewart & Wheaton, partnership which
has only been dissolved by death DIR
Wheaton subsequently married DR.. Stewart
daughter and the partnership has ever since
been family as well aa business one. Two
years ago he erected splendid double res
idence on Washington street, fronting Ric,
park, and the offices of the firm, which wer,
formerly on Bridge square, were removed Il
the basement of the residence where bott
families resided aud where the much be
loved physician, and citizen breathed hi
|, last.
DR.. Stewards exacting practice had s.
taxed bis health that his intimate friend.
| haze felt sr1r,rnhen sinns for wear nast IL