The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-10-02
Justice Geo. H. Stewart
Passes Away at Portland

ana, at a period when the memor,
of the "Hoosier Schoolmaster" wa
still fresh in the minds of the youns
folks of Indiana; in fact, George wa
sort of Ralph Hartsook, and lik'
many men who have become distln
guished later in life, taught countr.
school. Whether or not he boarded
round" this deponent sayeth not, bu
in teaching the young idea how tt
shoot, first in the country schools
about Connersvillo, and later as sup
erint :ndent of the East Conners-ille
schools, he not only supplemented his
own education, but cultured On ambi
ton for higher things. He entered
the Valparaiso university, Valparaiso
Indiana, and was GRADUATE in the
scieltific course in the class of 1879
receiving his proper degree and there,
after entered the law course, which he
completed in 1881. He was admitted
to the bar of Indiana in 1882, and
for five years practiccd his profess
sion at Fowler, Indi2na. He then
moved to Sto ksville, Frontier county
Nebraska, and engaged in the prac-
tice of law and acted as prosecuting
attorney during the ears 1887 and
1888.
In his native state Judge Stewart
occupied an enviable position as a
lawyer, but he lifted up his eyes to-
ward the west, where he saw new
worlds to conquer.
Helped to Build a State
In 1890 Idaho became a state, and
among the men who have carved
their names imperishably upon the
history of the state, and who came
to Idaho that year, was Judge Stew
art. The writer we'll remembers
when masterful-appearing, bright
looking man came to the Republican
headquarters in the state house build
ing and introduced himself as a law
yer and Republican, and rendered
his services in the campaign then
waging to make Idaho a Republican
state.
He Immediately took rank with
such men as George L. Shoup, Willis
Sweet, Fred T. Dubois and other
wheel horses of the Republican party.
w. E. Borah, now United States SEN
ator, came short time afterward,
with all his worldly goods in valise.
Judge Stewart became associated in
the practice of law with John S.
Gray, one of the pioneer attorneys
of Idaho. He at once took front rank
in politics. He was elected to the
state senate from Ada county in 1898.
He then became associated for three
years in the practice of law with Mr..
Borah.
Among the distinguishing features
of Judge Stewards life, apart from
politics, was his association as trustee
with the public schools of Boise, be-
ginning in 1895, when for eight years
he gave his culture and splen lid abil-
titles to making the public schools of
Boise among the best in the north
west. From 1903 to 1905 he also
served as trustee of the Albion
Normal school.
Sixteen Years ON Bench
His career on the bench began in
1898, when Governor w. J. McCon-
nell appointed him judge in the Third
judicial district. So satisfactory were
his two years of service under that
appointment that he was elected for
the full term of four years, and after
ward to succeed himself for four
years, making in all a service of 10
years on the district bench. The
record which he made as district
judge gave him his party's nomina-
ton in 1906 for the office of justice
of the supreme court. His election
was fitting tribute to his previous
record. In due course he became
chief justice during the last two
years of his term.
In 1912 Judge Stewart achieved
one of the most remarkable political
victories in the history of the west.
At that time, somewhat broken in
health and bowed under the weight
of bereavement caused by the death
of his wife after protracted illness
he faced a peculiar situation, and an
impression had somehow gained
credence that, owing to his supposed
physical condition, the duties of his
office would be too much for his
and this impression per-
meated the state. He seemed to be
up against forlorn hope; but, as a
matter of fact, although the out
ward man had failed in a measure,
his eye was not dimmed, nor the
natural strength and vigor of his in