Robert Marcellus Stewart

Robert Marcellus Stewart ( born March 12, 1815 in Truxton, Cortland County, New York, † September 21, 1871 in Saint Joseph, Missouri ) was a U.S. Representative (Democratic Party) and from 1857 to 1861 the 14th Governor of Missouri.

Early years and political rise

Robert Stewart attended the local schools of his home. After studying law he was admitted in 1836 as a lawyer. After moving in, he began to work in his new job in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Stewart's political career began in 1845 as a delegate to a conference to revise the state constitution of Missouri. Between 1846 and 1857 he was a member of the State Senate. On August 3, 1857, he was elected governor of his state.

Governor of Missouri

Robert Stewart stepped up his new post on October 22, 1857. During his tenure the country's infrastructure has been improved and the banking system reformed. Border dispute with the neighboring state of Kansas were settled. Overshadowed those years were but of the events surrounding the impending American Civil War. Stewart joined in this conflict for his country's neutrality. Personally, he was for the Union.

Further CV

Even after the end of his term of office on January 3, 1861 Stewart remained politically active. Between 1861 and 1863 he was a member of the pro-Union Parliament of Missouri (Missouri State Convention ). He also joined the Union Army, but could not stay there long because of his poor health. Robert Stewart died in 1871.