BIO: James T. STUART, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  JAMES. T. STUART was born December 9, 1837, near Linden Hall, Harris 
township, Centre county, the second in the family of seven children 
born to David A. and Martha (Johnson) Stuart.
  There he began his education in the school house at Rock Hill, his 
teacher being Matthew Woods, later a practicing physician of 
Clearfield, Penn.  Subsequently our subject attended school in 
Clearfield county, and at the age of seventeen completed his literary 
education in Boalsburg Academy.  On beginning his business career he 
served as a clerk for George W. Johnson & Co., of Huntingdon county, 
Penn., for three years, and during the following four years engaged in 
teaching school in Centre county, at $1 per day.  On his return from 
the war he again entered the mercantile establishment of Mr. Johnson in 
Petersburg, Huntingdon county, where he remained some four years, and 
later, in partnership with William D. Keller, engaged in the 
manufacture of woolen goods in Houserville, College township, Centre 
county.  At the end of three years, however, he returned to Boalsburg, 
where he embarked in mercantile pursuits, and also served as postmaster 
from 1873 until 1882.  On removing to State College in the latter year 
he, in connection with his brother, John W., conducted a general store 
for three years, but since 1885 has been engaged in his present 
business in Boalsburg.  His home and hotel is a beautiful stone 
structure, erected in 1819 by Col. James Johnson, and here everything 
is done for the convenience and comfort of his guests.
  On June 16, 1875, Mr. Stuart was wedded to Miss E. E. Hunter, a 
daughter of Dr. Reuben Hunter, who died in 1864 while serving as 
surgeon of the 54th P.V.I.  Four children bless this union, whose names 
and dates of birth are as follows: William, August 3, 1876; George J., 
July 23, 1880; David A., October 1, 1882; and Rueben R., October 8, 
1884.
  Hardly had the echoes of Fort Sumter's guns died away when Mr. Stuart 
offered his service to the general government to assist in putting down 
the Rebellion, enlisting April 20, 1861, in the 7th P.V.I., for three 
months.  He was discharged July 20, 1861, but on the 31st of the 
following August was made sergeant in Company G, 49th P.V.I., under 
Capt. John Bool; was promoted to second lieutenant March 16, 1862; and 
to first lieutenant December 1, of the same year.  On January 12, 1863, 
he was transferred to the field and staff roll as adjutant; promoted to 
captain of Company G, February 25, 1864; commissioned brevet major of 
the United States Volunteers. April 6, 1865; promoted to major of the 
49th P.V.I., in June, 1865; and to lieutenant-colonel July 14, 1865.  
His war record is one of which he may be justly proud, for he entered 
the service as a private, and for meritorious and gallant conduct on 
the field of battle steadily arose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
  Col. Stuart participated in the following engagements: Williamsburg, 
May 5, 1862; Harnet's Hill; Golding's Farm; Savage Station; Malvern 
Hill; Antietam; Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville; 
Gettysburg; Rappahannock Station; Mine Run; Wilderness; Spott-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  174  

sylvania Court House; Winchester; Cedar Creek; Petersburg, April 2, 
1865; Little Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865; and, on the 9th of the same 
month, Appomattox Court House, where Lee surrendered to Grant, and the 
war was practically over.  Col. Stuart was wounded at Rappahannock, 
November 7, 1863, and in the shoulder at Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864.  
After his return home he contemplated joining the regular army, and 
wrote to Gen. W. S. Hancock for a letter of recommendation, which he 
still has in his possession, and which reads as follows:

      CANONDOLET, MO., August 6, 1866.
  Lieut.-Col. James T. Stuart, late of the 49th P.V.I., is known to me 
to have been a faithful officer; he served under my command during the 
Peninsula and Antietam campaigns.  He has been severely wounded in 
action, and was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment 
for gallant and meritorious services.  I have no hesitation in 
recommending him for a commission in the regular army of the United 
States.
(Signed) WINFIELD S. HANCOCK, Major-General U.S.A.

  In December, 1864, our subject was detailed to headquarters of the 
6th Army Corps, as commander of a battalion of sharpshooters, with the 
rank of captain.  Subsequently he was requested by Gen. Edwards to take 
a position on his staff as brigade inspector, which he accepted and 
filled until discharged, Gen. Wheaton relieving him from his former 
position.
  Col. Stuart is now an honored and prominent member of the Grand Army 
Post No. 95, and the Union Veteran Legion, both of Bellefonte.  Since 
casting his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, he has been a 
stalwart Republican in politics, and in 1866 was the candidate of his 
party for State representative.  He acceptably served as county auditor 
from 1879 until 1882, and has filled various township offices to the 
satisfaction of all concerned.