St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-27
A PUBLIC LOSS.
The Sudden Death Last Evening of
DR.. j. Fl. Stewart.
One of st. Paul's Best and Most
Beloved Citizens.
IDaily Globe. Ane. DC. ,


health for over year, he has been attending
to his large practice and greeting his patients
with his usual CHEEKY all, 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
attended until 5 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 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 a 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 s p. IN. he
was dead, without ever regaining conscious
ness or speaking a word
His son-in-law and partner DIR. 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 a special engine sent out to meet
him was expected to arrive during the night
DR.. j. II. Stewart, whose sudden death is
thus recorded, was born in Connecticut
January Is, 1929, and was consequently in his
ifty-ffth year. When quite young he re-
moved to Peekskil, New York, where he re-
sided until he removed to st. Paul. He
studied medicine with his father, DR.. 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 Catherine Sweeny, sister of
r. o. Sweeny, the well known
druggist, and also a sister of Mrs.
W. L. Banning, the wedding taking
placed at the residence of Mr.. Banning
His first entry upon public life was in 1859,
u-ha ha oil tod Stato Sap rate
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 prisoner to Rich
mond. He was finally released on parole
and returning home was appointed examin-
ing surgeon for the state, 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 their
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 hum
dreds who read these lines will feel that it is a
record of the loss of personal rather than a
professional friend.
His kindness and popularity received
practical recognition when he was nomi-
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 1868 he was again nominated fol-
mayor and again elected. In 1872 and 1873
he was re- elected, serving three successive
terms, his popularity being so great that il
was absolutely useless for the Democrats to
attempt to defeat him. He would I'M
doubleday have be en- continued in the may
orality but for his positive declination to
longer serve in that capacity.
In 1S16-Centennial year--he was nomi-
mated by the Republicans of this district for
congress, his Democratic opponent being
Hon. W. W. McNair, of Minneapolis. The
campaign was most sharply contested, but he
was elected and served one term with ability
and faithfulness, and his retirement from
congress was always source of keen regret
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 of
two years not having in the least impaired
his hold upon the public. He was appointed
surveyor general of the state by President
Hayes in 1879 and served four years, retiring
from 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 his
large medical practice. In fact so firmly
was he entrenched in the affection of the
people that nothing but his absolute absence
from the city could prevent his being called
upon for medical aid and having more bust
ness thrust upon him than his physical ability
could meet After returning from Congress
he formed n partnership with DR.. c. A.
| Wheaton under the firm name OF
| Stewart 81 Wheaton, a partnership which
has only been dissolved by death. DR..
Wheaton subsequently married DR.. Stewards
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 Rice
park. and the offices of the firm, which were
| formerly on Bridge square, were removed &c
| the basement of the residence where both
| families resided and where the much be-
| loved physician, and citizen breathed his
| last.
DR.. Stewards exacting practice had sc
taxed his health that his intimate friends
have felt apprehensions for year past He
sought months relaxation in the south in
March, but returned without being invigo-
rated He has also suffered several violent
attacks OF bleeding at the nose, at one time
having 10 remain perfectly quiet for some
days with his nostrils plugged with cotton t.
stannch the blood These attacks would ap