NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 D. W. STEWART No member of the Sioux City bar holds a higher position in public esteem than the Hon. David Wallace Stewart, a member of the well known law firm of Kindig, Stewart & Hatfield and Iowa's youngest United States senator. Only those who have come into professional or business relations with him can understand how thoroughly nature and training, habits of thought and action have enabled him to gain his present enviable place in the field of public affairs as well as in his chosen vocation, and today he stands in the front rank of those who are conserving the interests of the people and promoting national progress. Mr. Stewart was born January 22, 1887, in New Concord, Ohio, and his parents were Wilson and Mary Ann (Wallace) Stewart, the latter also a native of that town, in which their marriage occurred. Wilson Stewart was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and during his boyhood his parents migrated to Ohio. His father was a prosperous merchant and for many years engaged in business in New Concord. Wilson Stewart spent his earlier years as a clerk in his father's store and on the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army, in which he served until the close of the conflict. He then returned home and was engaged in merchandising until his death, which occurred at New Concord in 1901, while his wife passed away in 1898. David W. Stewart attended the public schools of New Concord and was also a student in an academy. He next matriculated in Geneva College, at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, from which he received the degree of A. B. in 1911. In the same year he came to Iowa as a member of the faculty and athletic director of the Cherokee high school and at the close of the term of 1911-12 became associated with the Sioux City high school, which he served for three years in the came capacities. He trained several star football teams, one of which defeated the East high school of Des Moines for the state championship. On serving his connection with the Central high school at Sioux City he entered the law school of the University of Chicago and was graduated with the class of 1917, winning the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence. While a student at that institution of learning Mr. Stewart was an instructor and the athlethic coach at the Morgan Park Military Academy. He has always been an indefatigable worker and his education is self-acquired. After his admission to the bar he began the practice of his profession in Sioux City, in association with Arthur C. McGill & Stewart until January, 1918, when they were joined by J. W. Kindig, McGill, R. H. Hatfield. The firm was known as Kindig, McGill, Stewart & Hatfield until July, 1925, when Mr. McGill withdrew to become Iowa attorney for the Chicago Joint Stock Land Bank at Des Moines. The firm enjoys an extensive practice, specializing in corporation and probate law. Mr. Stewart is a veteran of the World war. On July 11, 1918, he enlisted in the United States Marines and on September 1 was sent overseas as a member of Company K, of the Thirteenth Regiment, which was attached to the Fifth Brigade. He served under General Smedley D. Butler and about November 1, 1918, was made top sergeant of his company. He was stationed in France until August 1, 1919, when he returned to the United States, and was honorably discharged at Hampton Roads, Virginia, on the 15th of August. On September 15, 1920, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Helen Struble, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Struble, of LeMars, Iowa. Mr. Stewart is an earnest member of the McClintock Community Presbyterian church and one of its trustees. In 1922 he was commander of Monahan Post of the American Legion, serving for one term, and is now a member of the board of directors. He is also a director of the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, of which he was president in 1925; a director of the local organization of Boy Scouts; and vice president and a director of the Young Men's Christian Association of Sioux City. He is a member of the Lions and Country Clubs of Sioux City and also of Delta Chi, a college fraternity. He is affiliated with the local lodge of Elks and is also a Mason, belonging to Morningside Lodge, No. 615, F. & A. M., and Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A. & A. S. R., and to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Stewart is district chairman of the Republican Service League of Iowa and a recognized leader in state politics. He has exerted a strong influence in municipal campaigns in Sioux City and aligned himself with the faction that obtained control of the Woodbury county central committee in 1922. He was an active worker in the Cummins campaign and an ardent supporter of the Coolidge administration. On August 6, 1926, at the state republican convention in Des Moines he was his party's nominee for the United States senate to fill out the unexpired term of the late Senator Albert Baird Cummins and his appointment by Governor Hammill quickly followed. The appointment was unsolicited and in a short speech following the announcement of his nomination, he expressed gratification for the honor and told the delegates he felt a humble successor to Senator Cummins, "the greatest statesman Iowa has ever produced." He said he believed the republican party was the best instrument for the promotion of American ideals and through it he predicted success would crown a united effort for farm relief. In November, 1926, Senator Stewart was the choice of the people for the office he was then so ably filling. Possessing a magnetic personality and a frank, genial nature, "Dave" Stewart has won the strong and enduring regard of a host of friends and exemplifies the finest type of American manhood and citizenship. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/