Lispenard Stewart

Lispenard Stewart Jr. (June 19, 1855 – October 15, 1927) was an American lawyer who served as New York State Senator. and first cousin of Frederic W. Rhinelander). He was the brother of Sarah Lispenard Stewart (1837–1920), William Rhinelander Stewart (1852–1929), and Mary Rhinelander Stewart (1859–1949), who married iron magnate Frank S. Witherbee.

Through his brother William, he was the uncle of Anita Rhinelander Stewart (1886–1977) who married Prince Miguel, Duke of Viseu, grandson of King Miguel I of Portugal.

His paternal grandparents were Alexander Stewart (nephew of Continental Congressman Lt.-Col. Charles Stewart) and Sarah Stewart (née Lispenard, a granddaughter of Col. Leonard Lispenard). He was the maternal grandson of William Christopher Rhinelander (1790–1878), Lieutenant in Colonel Stevens' Regiment in the War of 1812. During his second year in the law school studied also in law office of Platt & Gerard. He was admitted to the bar May 27, 1879, and then became created a firm with his brother, known as "William R. Stewart & Lispenard Stewart, Attorneys" which they ran until 1900. He devoted most of his time to the administration of estates, charitable, philanthropic, and educational work.

In January, 1877, he was granted power of attorney for his mother and two aunts.

Political career Stewart was the New York County representative to the Republican State Committee, serving as its treasurer. He ended his service on December 31, 1891, and was succeeded by Martin T. McMahon.

Boards and clubs From its inception in 1890, he was a director and a stockholder of the Real Estate Trust Company (later known as the Fulton Trust Company in 1906). He was also a trustee of Grant Monument Association, president of New York State Prison Commission from 1895 to 1903, director of New York Prison Reform Association, of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (which he served as vice-president of the board from 1905 to 1908 and president from 1908 to 1919), a governor of the Newport Casino from 1911 to 1921, of the Newport Reading Room from 1902 to 1923, He was also a friend of society fellow Harry Lehr.

He also owned a "cottage" called "White Lodge" on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, where he entertained regularly. In 1897, he entertained Jennie Tuttle Hobart and Garret Hobart, the then Vice President of the United States at his home in Newport. Other guests included Gov. Elisha Dyer, Sen. Chauncey Depew, Mrs. Astor, Anthony Joseph Drexel, Jr., and Marion Graves Anthon Fish, among others.

Stewart, who did not marry, died at his home, 6 Fifth Avenue, on October 15, 1927. He had been an invalid for several years. His funeral was held at Grace Church and he was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. He left the bulk of his estate to his brother and sister and their descendants.