Obituary of Homer Stuart, from The Lockport Journal, October 8, 1885:
Homer H. Stuart, Esq.
The New York Times of October 6th, publishes the following notice of the death of Mr. Stuart, who formerly resided in Lockport, and who commenced the practice of his profession here. He studied law with Robert H. Stevens, Esq, and then submitted to the bar or soon after, formed a partnership with Billings P. Learned, which firm continued in business here for several years. Mr. Stuart was well-known as an able lawyer, and was prominent professionally, and as a citizen in this community. He was an accomplished scholar and possessed more than ordinary ability as a literary man. Many of the articles written by him for the magazines of that day were of a high order and attracted general attention.
Among his contributions to the press while here was a defense of James Fenimore Cooper against certain political attacks made on that distinguished novelist and writer by the whigs. It was anonymous, and written with such consummate ability that it arrested the attention of Mr. Cooper, who was so impressed with its power and effectiveness that he addressed a letter of thanks to the writer as soon as he ascertained from the publisher the name of its author.
His humorous sketches of the "Patriot War" on our western frontier in 1837 and 1838 and graphic descriptions of some of its ludicrous phases, were extensively read and enjoyed.
The statement in the Times that Mr. Stuart removed from Cattaraugus county and was admitted to the bar there, is erroneous. After the dissolution of the law firm mentioned, he removed from this place to New York, where he immediately opened an office and has been engaged in business ever since. Although long absent, he is still remembered by many in this city, who will hear the intelligence of his sudden death with sorrow and sincerely lament that they will meet this gifted man on earth no more.
The Times says: "Homer H. Stuart, a lawyer aged 75 years, died of heart disease at No. 63 Wall street (sic) yesterday, soon after 1 o'clock P.M. Usually in the profession of robust health, Mr. Stuart complained of feeling unwell immediately after breakfast yesterday. He said that there were severe pains in his chest. He went to his law office, which is on the 4th floor of 63 Wall Street, From there he went to court and had several cases that were on the calendar adjourned because he did not feel able to attend to them. Subsequently he returned to his office and told his partner, who is his son Inglis, that he was going home. That was about 1 o'clock. He expired suddenly in the hallway just as he was leaving the building.
Mr. Stuart has been known to New Yorkers for at least 40 years. He was born in Vermont and from there removed to Cattaraugus county, this state, where he was admitted to the bar. Soon after he became a lawyer, he established an office in this vicinity. He was corporation counsel of Williamsburg until that city was merged into the city of Brooklyn in 1855. After the war Mr. Stuart was elected president of the Continental Bank Note Company, of which corporation he had been counsel for some time. He remained president of that company until it was consolidated with other companies and merged into the American Bank Note Company. For a few years Mr. Stuart was a resident of Washington. In 1877 he resumed the practice of law, forming a copartnership (sic) with Charles E. Whitehead. The firm of Whitehead & Stuart continued in business at No. 61 Wall street until 1882. It was extensively interested in litigation against the elevated railroads. Early in 1884, Inglis Stuart was admitted to the bar, and his father entered into partnership with him, taking an office at No. 63 Wall street.
Mr. Stuart had a country residence at Coxackie-on-the Hudson, and when in the city he resided at No. 29 West Tenth street. He was an attendant at the Brick (Presbyterian) Church. His widow, two sons and a married daughter survive him.
Obituary, New York Daily Tribune, October 6, 1885:
Homer H. Stuart died suddenly yesterday afternoon in his office, no. 63 Wall-st. He was born in Vermont seventy-five years ago. After being graduated from Middlebury College he settled in the western part of this State. He became prominent in politics as a Democrat, but soon after the formation of the "Free Soil" party, became one of its followers, and subsequently a Republican in the early history of that party. He was an enthhusiastic worker for the party, but invariably declined political office, and refused an election to the Union League Club of this city. Since the war he took little active interest in politics. In 1868 he was elected president of the Continental Bank Note Company, which was later consolidated with the American Bank Note Company. Of recent years he lived in Coxsackie. He was a partner with Charles E. Whitehead. A son Inglis Stuart, is also a lawyer at no. 63 Wall-st., and lives at no. 23 West Tenth-st.