Representative William R. Stewart portrait   Save
Ohio History Connection
Description: Photograph of William R. Stewart (1864-1858), a representative from Mahoning County who served in the Ohio House of Representatives during the 72nd session (1896-1897) and 73rd session (1898-1899) of the General Assembly. When Stewart's parents moved with their young son from Pennsylvania to Youngstown, Ohio, they were the community's first African American family. As a young man, he worked as a brick mason and in the railroad industry before attending law school in Cincinnati. Once he was elected to the Ohio House, he focused on legislation related to anti-lynching laws, pensions for police and firemen, and various public works. He continued his legal career in and out of politics, and was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People involved in improving race relations in his community. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P206_B08_Stewart
Subjects: African American Ohioans; Ohio House of Representatives; Ohio--Politics and government; Elected officials; Civil Rights; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People;
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)