Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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HARLES BENEDICT STUART was born at Logansport, Indiana, April 21, 1851. He was tlie son of Hon. Wm. Z, Stuart, a distinguished lawyer and jurist of the state, but a New Englander by birth and of Scotch descent. His mother was Sarah Scribner Benedict, ot Verona, N. Y. Mr. Stuart ' s early education was obtained in the Logans- port schools. Later he prepared for college at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., and entered Amherst College from which he graduated in 1873, with the degree of Bachelor ot Arts. He then entered Columbia Law School in the city of New York, graduatmg therefrom with high honors in 1876. It had been Mr. Stuart ' s intention to practice law in New York, but the death of his father occurring at this time, he was appointed to the responsible position on the legal staff of the Wabash Railway which his father had held for eighteen years, and to him was confided the care of the interests of this great corpo- ration in the state of Indiana. So assiduously and ably did he devote himself to these that he was retained by the road as legal counsel up to the time of his death, nearly a quarter of a century later, and was regarded as one of the best corporation lawyers in the state. Mr. Stuart moved to LaPayette in 1877, having shortly before married Miss Alice J. Earl, of that city. In 1882 his brother, William V. Stuart, became his associate; in 1890, the third brother, Thomas A., entered the firm known as the Stuart Brothers until at his death in 1892 Hon. E. P. Hammond became a member of the firm, henceforth Stuart Brothers Hammond. As a citizen of LaPayette, Mr. Stuart was one of the organizers of the LaPayette Club, one of the promoters of the Merchants ' National Bank, a director of the Tippecanoe County Pair and of the Belt Road. In fact his attention was given to every enterprise involving the welfare of the city. But his energies were not limited to his home, thev broadened out and covered the whole state. Por years he was identified with the State Board of Agriculture, was one of the promoters of the State Bar Association, and from its inception chairman of its board of membership. In the midst of his many exacting duties Mr. Stuart found time and attention to 25

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CHARLl-S BKNI-DICT STIART JORN Al ' KIl. 21, 1S5I I IK1 ' FkBRUAKV 20, 1S99 A member of the Board of Trustees of Purdue University from April, 1885, to February, 1899. President of the Board for eleven years.

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devote to the importation and breeding of Hereford cattle in which he was associated with his tather-in-law, the late Adams Ea rl. But to the readers of Debris, one of the most interesting phases of Mr. Stuart ' s life was that connected with Purdue University. From the time, April, 1885, when he became a trustee of that institution until the day of his death he was its firm friend, its loval supporter, and its wise counselor. For eleven years of this time he was President ot its Board of Trustees, and in spite of the manv demands upon his everv hour, was always to be found at the Board meetings. Between him and the late President Smart there existed a very warm personal friendship which was strengthened and intensified by their many years of ofiicial association. Both now rest from their labors but their impress upon the institution to which so much of their time and thoughts were given will be a lasting one. 2f)