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Manuscript Collections - Adelbert T. And Florence Stewart Papers
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ADELBERT T. AND FLORENCE STEWART PAPERS The Adelbert T. and Florence Stewart Papers consist of one document box of correspondence and clippings that document their friendship with Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover. The Stewarts became acquainted with the Hoovers when both couples lived in London in 1914, and remained friends with them for many years after that. Although this collection ranges from 1914-1961, the bulk of the material dates from World War I, this being the period during which Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Hoover worked together. The Stewart Papers were donated to the Hoover Presidential Library in 1969. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Adelbert Stewart (frequently known as “A.T.”) was born in Washington, Iowa on December 14, 1876. Stewart studied at the University of Chicago, and after graduating, embarked upon a career as a financial adviser. In 1908 he took a position as a representative for the American Radiator Company, working in London. That same year, Stewart married Florence Fisher, with the ceremony taking place in the northern English city of Hull on June 6. Mrs. Stewart, who was an accountant, was born in Buffalo, New York on June 4, 1884. The Stewarts remained in England through 1915, and during this time had become acquainted with the family of American mining engineer Herbert Hoover. When war broke out in Europe in the summer of 1914, the Hoovers established the American Citizen’s Relief Committee as a means of providing stranded American travelers with the funds necessary to return to the United States, as well as temporary shelter during their stay in London. Lou Henry Hoover formed the women’s branch of this group, the American Women’s Relief Committee, and Florence Stewart became well acquainted with her in their work together. While the Hoovers remained in Europe until 1917, the Stewarts returned to the United States when A.T. was offered a position with the National Bank of New York, as that bank’s South American representative. During their time in New York, Mrs. Stewart represented Mrs. Hoover at the Women’s Club Convention, reading Mrs. Hoover’s first-hand report of the activities of the American Women’s Relief Committee in London. Later in the war, Mrs. Stewart was in charge of a division of the National Red Cross in New York City. In the early 1920s, A.T. left the National Bank of New York and accepted a position with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. During this period Florence, who had contracted tuberculosis, moved to Arizona in order to recuperate from this illness. In 1932 A.T. accepted a position with the Reconstruction Finance Corporation during the Hoover Administration. No information is available in the Stewart Papers concerning the subsequent career of A.T. After retirement, the Stewarts both settled in Phoenix, Arizona. A.T. Stewart died on May 30, 1963, and Florence Stewart died on January 4, 1969. SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTEThe collection primarily consists of Florence Stewart correspondence. Stewart met many of correspondents, include Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover, through food relief activities in London and New York during World War I. Includes Lou Hoover’s report on the American Women’s Relief Committee. Adelbert kept files of materials pertaining to Herbert Hoover. Arranged alphabetically by name. RELATED COLLECTIONS Herbert Hoover Commerce Papers has correspondence concerning A.T. Stewart FOLDER LIST Box Contents 1 American Women's Club, 1916, 1930 |