Dr. John Quincy Adams Stewart

By Barry Banker, Stewart Home School President

Next month, on September 3rd, Stewart Home School will officially celebrate its 120th birthday – We are calling it Founder’s Day. Our founder, John Quincy Adams Stewart, was a remarkable visionary and I have been intrigued in doing research on his life.. Here are a few amazing facts about him.

• By age 18, in 1849, he had graduated from the Law Department of the University of Louisville.
• Along with his brother, he crossed the plains in search of gold and arrived at Sutter’s Fort, California, 125 days after they departed Independence, Missouri. (took over four months to get there and only 46 years after Lewis & Clark made their trek!)
• Returned to Louisville 8 years later and graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine, whereupon he practiced medicine for 20 years in Owensboro and Daviess County.
• Was appointed by Governor McCreary, Superintendent of the Kentucky Institution for the Education and Training of Feeble-minded Children, where he served in such capacity under three more Governors!
• Founded the School as a for profit entity in 1893 with 13 students and no government money. He lived only five years but established the foundation of principles that we follow today.

“A look into Dr. Stewart’s face, which was an index to his kindly nature, at once invited confidence and gave assurance that in him tenderness and gentleness forever reigned supreme.”

We have a noble heritage and equally noble mission.

All the Stewart family–now into the 7th generation–at this very special time, sincerely thank you for providing love and care for our students that the first Dr. Stewart envisioned 120 years ago.

Blessings to you and your family.