ADELBERT T. AND FLORENCE STEWART PAPERS
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library
West Branch, Iowa
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.
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.
The A.T. and Florence Stewart Papers consist largely of files of correspondence between Mrs. Stewart and friends, some of whom she was acquainted with through her relief activities in London and New York during World War I. Most notable of these files is that of her correspondence with Lou Henry Hoover, as well as the copy of Mrs. Hoover’s report on the activities of the American Women’s Relief Committee.
One file exists of correspondence with Herbert Hoover as well, dating from 1917 and his period as director of the U.S. Food Administration. Mr. Stewart also kept files of news clippings and other published material relating to Hoover, and these are included among his papers as well.
Additional correspondence concerning A.T. Stewart can be found in the Commerce Series and the Secretary’s Files Series of the papers of Herbert Hoover at this library. Correspondence with Florence Stewart, and to a lesser extent A.T. Stewart, can also be found in the Personal Correspondence series in the Lou Henry Hoover Papers.
Another related collection is that of the Gertrude Bowman Papers. Mrs. Bowman was the sister of A.T. Stewart, as well as a close friend of Lou Henry Hoover and the executrix of her estate.
A.T. (Adelbert) and Florence Stewart Papers
Folder List
Box Contents
1
American Women's Club
1916 and 1930
American Women's Relief Committee
October 1, 1914
Bowman, Gertrude
May, 1923
Caden, Douglas
October 3,
Dickson, Alice M.
May 31, 1931
Glenn, Mrs. John M.
February 21, 1923
Hall, Mary O'Hagen
May 31, 1918
Hoover, Herbert
1917
Hoover, Herbert ‑ Printed Material
1917 ‑ 192 0
Hoover, Herbert ‑ Printed Material
1927 ‑ 1929
Hoover, Herbert ‑ Printed Material
1931 ‑ 1961
Hoover, Lou Henry
1914 ‑ 1923
Hoover Institution
October 7, 1940 and December 30, 1957
McCullack‑Williams, Martha
1923
Pettitt, Criada
May 27, 1923
Polk, de Bayer, D.
March 19, 1918
Unidentified
n/d