Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
STEWART, Robert W.
STEWART, Robert W. (Dubuque, IA, July 6, 1855--Dubuque, IA, Sept. 15, 1905). MAYOR. Stewart served as mayor of Dubuque for two terms, from 1889 to 1891. Although elected to the office for a third term, he refused to continue his service and returned to his law practice. Stewart was also a director of the DUBUQUE TELEPHONE COMPANY and a general counsel to the Anamosa and Northwestern Railroad.
In 1890 with the cooperation of Sheriff Phillips all "tramps will be decorated with that heavy jewelry commonly called 'ball and chain' and put to work on the rock pile." The Dubuque Daily Herald commented that with the "hot weather and the new order of things, Dubuque will be somewhat sultry for the tramp fraternity." (1)
The city council debated the need for and finally the location of a new DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE during Stewart's administration. Despite consideration for using them, both WASHINGTON PARK and JACKSON PARK were maintained for their original use.
The city modernized its public lighting and transportation systems beginning with the work of the DUBUQUE ELECTRIC RAILWAY, LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY.
Initial reports of the census of 1890 proved incorrect. On June 20, 1890 an announcement was made that fifty men were needed for a recount of the population. (2)
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Source:
1. "The Chain Gang to Boom," Dubuque Daily Herald, May 24, 1890, p. 4
2. "Relative to the Census," Dubuque Daily Herald, June 20, 1890 p. 4