Adjutant General Thomas Jameson Stewart was born September 11, 1848 Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. When he was a year old, in 1849, he immigrated to Pennsylvania. He attended public schools in Norristown until he was 15. When he was 16, he enlisted in the 138th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving in the final months of the Civil War. He was honorably discharged June 23, 1865.
From an early age Thomas Stewart showed great penmanship and organization skills. Subsequently, he was chosen as secretary for practically every organization with which he became associated. In 1867 young Stewart graduated from Quaker City Business College in Philadelphia. For the following six years he worked at different jobs as a clerk and bookkeeper. During the winter he conducted a night school and business college.
In 1868 he opened a writing school at 126 and ½ Main Street in Norristown. In 1872 Stewart became both secretary and treasurer for the Waterford Glass Company in New Jersey. He worked there until 1885. While working at the glass company he continued his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. The G.A.R. was a veterans organization consisting of Union veterans of The Civil War. He quickly achieved prominence and success in the organization. In1880 Stewart was appointed Assistant Inspector General of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was reappointed to the position in 1898 and 1899. He was G.A.R. Adjutant General 1898 -1901 and was elected Commander in Chief in 1902.
Beginning in 1886 General Stewart served as both trustee and secretary of the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors’ Home. He served as a member of the commission in charge of the Soldier’s Orphan Schools from 1889 to 1896. Active in Republican Party politics, he had served as a political speaker since1878. He was a delegate to the Republican Party State Convention in Harrisburg in 1884.General Stewart joined the Pennsylvania National Guard, September 29, 1869. During this time the Norris City Rifles were reorganized. The Norris City Rifles had been founded by General John Hartranft before The Civil War. Thomas Stewart advanced in rank from First Sergeant to Second Lieutenant then to First Lieutenant. On September 5, 1879 he was promoted to Adjutant, Sixth Regiment Infantry. On Sept. 29, 1890 he was promoted to Assistant Adjutant General, First Brigade.
On January 15,1895 Thomas Stewart was appointed by Governor Daniel Hastings Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard and reappointed by each succeeding governor. General Stewart is one of the longest serving PA Adjutant Generals in Pennsylvania Guard history. Under his tenure in office significant progress and improvements were made in reports, methods of accounting and administration, particularly in accounting and in the establishment of a manufacturing department for the State Arsenal. This specific achievement later led to the naming of the Norristown Armory, “The Thomas J. Stewart Armory,” which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Around 1927 or1928 The General Thomas J. Stewart Armory also known as the Norristown PA National Guard Armory was built at 340 Harding Boulevard in Norristown. It consists of a two-story structure with a drill hall in the back and administrative offices building in the front. It is in the Classical Revival T Plan style with decorative stonework of yellow brick on a concrete foundation with a parapet. It was added to the National Register in 1991. Under General Stewart’s management the quota of troops from Pennsylvania for the Spanish American War were supplied more swiftly and more cost efficient than any other state.
From 1885 -1886 Stewart served as a State Representative from Montgomery County during which he helped organize supplies for victims of the infamous Johnstown Flood. The flood claimed the lives of 2200 people. He was the author of the “Soldiers Burial Bill”, passed overriding the governor’s veto. From1886 1890 Stewart was elected and served as Pennsylvania Secretary of Internal Affairs. The office was created by the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1874. The office was abolished and replaced in 1967. His fame and value as an orator were such that he was one of the party of generals that traveled the western states in 1896 and spoke widely, traveling over 9000 miles to 13 different states and speaking at 279 public meetings. He was said to have had a gift of eloquence, was witty and often sought out as a speaker by Republican politicians in their campaigns. Stewart and his comrades were said to be instrumental in the election of William McKinley as 25th President of the United States. For his efforts General Stewart was offered the position of Assistant Secretary of War. He declined to accept.
General Stewart was married to Miss Rebecca Ashenfelter. She passed away December 4 1894. He remarried in1901. His 2nd marriage was to Mrs. Alexina R. Weaver on November 29, 1901 It is not known if either marriage produced any children. General Stewart was said to have “looked the part of a soldier.” His commanding figure in uniform was a familiar sight at official functions throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stewart was a prominent Mason. He was a member of Charity Lodge in Norristown, was a Knight Templar and attained the rank of 32nd Degree Mason in the Consistory. He was later awarded the honorarium of 33rd Degree Mason.
Built in 1925 in the west end of the Borough of Norristown the Thomas J. Stewart Junior High School at 1315 West Marshall Street in Norristown was named for General Stewart. It was reorganized as Thomas J. Stewart Middle School in 1973. Recently plans were announced to change the name of the school.
General Thomas J. Stewart died suddenly September 11, 1917 in Harrisburg at 69 years of age, the same date as that of his birth. His health had been declining, but he had “soldiered on” at his post of Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was buried at Market Square Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Germantown, Philadelphia. Although today the students of his namesake school and general public alike have largely forgotten Thomas J. Stewart’s many contributions to the safety and health of the people of Pennsylvania, this native son of Montgomery County is not forgotten. After General Stewart’s death a bronze statue was erected in Harrisburg in his memory. To this day, the Thomas J. Stewart Medal, created in honor of his many years of service, is awarded to Pennsylvania National Guardsmen and women “Upon recommendation of their unit or organizational commanders, for one hundred percent attendance and excellence in drill, including annual field training, during any one year.” to the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National guard. Only one of the medals is awarded to any one person.
At the Historical Society of Montgomery County, located on DeKalb Street in Norristown, his G.A.R. sword is preserved, at the state capital and in the archives of the Pennsylvania National Guard his record of public service is remembered and revered for all time.
Sources for this article: Thomas J. Stewart Middle School website, Pennsylvania House of Representatives records, The Pennsylvania National Guard & Pennsylvania National Guard Museum Curator Capt. Michael R. Sprowles and The Historical Society of Montgomery County.
