Business Magnate. Born in Lisburn, Ireland, he emigrated to New York in 1823. In 1825 he opened a dry goods store, A. T. Stewart & Company; by the 1860s it had grown into the largest retail store in the world. He also had international branches of his company and owned several mills and factories. During the Civil War, Stewart was very active in support of the Union forces and provided many of the supplies for General Grant's army. In 1869 President Grant appointed him Secretary of the Treasury, but he was prevented from accepting because of his business connections. He was the founder of Garden City, New York, and was one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time of his death. In 1878 thieves exhumed his body and held it for ransom. His widow paid $20,000 and re-interred the body in a vault at the Garden City Cathedral mausoleum. Local legend has it that Mrs. Stewart installed an elaborate burglar alarm that would set off the bells of the cathedral if anyone tampered with her husband's crypt.
Business Magnate. Born in Lisburn, Ireland, he emigrated to New York in 1823. In 1825 he opened a dry goods store, A. T. Stewart & Company; by the 1860s it had grown into the largest retail store in the world. He also had international branches of his company and owned several mills and factories. During the Civil War, Stewart was very active in support of the Union forces and provided many of the supplies for General Grant's army. In 1869 President Grant appointed him Secretary of the Treasury, but he was prevented from accepting because of his business connections. He was the founder of Garden City, New York, and was one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time of his death. In 1878 thieves exhumed his body and held it for ransom. His widow paid $20,000 and re-interred the body in a vault at the Garden City Cathedral mausoleum. Local legend has it that Mrs. Stewart installed an elaborate burglar alarm that would set off the bells of the cathedral if anyone tampered with her husband's crypt.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Gravesite Details
Original burial was at Saint Marks Church-in-the -Bowery. His casket, with so much precious metal adorning it, was stolen along with is remains. It is not certain that his real remains were recovered and reburied.
Family Members
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See more Stewart memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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