Stuart, Henry Harvey

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Stuart, Henry Harvey

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1873-1952

History

Henry Harvey Stuart, son of John Palmer Stuart of Canning and Margaret Craig of Harvey, was born on August 9, 1873, near North Minto, New Brunswick. His mother died when Stuart was two years of age, and he was sent to board with a widow, Mrs. Lewis Allbright, in Newcastle Stream. During Stuart's eight year stay with Mrs. Allbright and her three children, he was exposed to many different forms of literature -- from the classical literature and various forms of history that his father brought him on his frequent visits, to the Bible, Gospel Temperance Magazines, and other such religious-oriented reading that was to be found at the Allbrights.

Although he passed his High School entrance in July, 1888, financial stringency meant that Stuart would never be able to attend high school. In the years that followed, he took jobs in numerous printing offices, until he was finally able to attend the Provincial Normal School in September, 1893. While attending Normal School, Stuart was editor of the school paper, the Normal Light. He earned his second class licence in 1894, followed by a first class licence in 1895, and a superior licence in 1896. Although he studied law in his spare time, and was fairly successful upon writing Law Examinations, this was not a path that he followed. Instead, he became a teacher -- a career choice made in 1894, which he pursued until his retirement in 1933.

In pursuit of higher income, Stuart moved from one school to another for most of his career. He was extremely vocal in his opinions about the education system, especially the role of the teacher, and above all, equal opportunity for all students. Stemming from these beliefs, he founded some of the earliest branches of Parent-Teachers Associations in the province. Perhaps most importantly, however, Stuart played an integral role in the organization of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association, for whom he acted as secretary-treasurer from 1903-1908.

In 1900, H.H. Stuart became a licenced lay preacher of the Methodist church, and took on the responsibility of both teaching Sunday school and preaching for Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches. In 1925, he was also licenced by the United Church of Canada. In all of the communities in which he served, he attempted, usually successfully, to either start or re-kindle local temperance societies, and often served as their secretary.

From his social gospel background, Stuart emerged in the early eighteen-nineties to become a vocal political radical who combined devout religious beliefs with socialism in the advocacy of numerous social reforms. In 1902, Stuart organized the first socialist party in New Brunswick, the Fredericton Socialist League, with himself acting as president, and his friend, Martin Butler, as secretary.

Aside from his professional and political life, Stuart also placed great importance on his personal, family life. He married Bertha Alexander, and together they had a family of seven children: Eulah M., Edwin A., J. Walter, Eileen B., Henry W., Charles R. and Allan P.

Henry Harvey Stuart died on October 21, 1952, at his home in Fredericton Junction.

Source:

Chapman, James K. "Henry Harvey Stuart (1873-1952): New Brunswick Reformer", "Acadiensis", vol. 5, no. 2, 1976

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