Albert Ankeny Stewart: A Titanic Passenger’s Remarkable Life

Who was Albert Ankeny Stewart? Albert Ankeny Stewart was a prominent American businessman and first-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on March 17, 1848, in Somerset, Pennsylvania, Stewart made a name for himself in the lithography industry and was known for his frequent transatlantic travels. His life, spanning from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, was marked by professional success, personal tragedies, and ultimately, a heroic end during one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Family

Albert Ankeny Stewart was born into a family with a rich American heritage. His middle name, Ankeny, was derived from an ancestor who had served as a Revolutionary War soldier. Albert’s parents were:

• Father: Robert Leeper Stewart (1820-1880), an attorney and insurance agent who later became a Civil War veteran
• Mother: Isabella Beam (1823-1901)

Growing up, Albert was part of a large family, with eight known siblings:

• Lillian (b. 1841)
• Ross Forward (b. 1842)
• Jean (b. 1850)
• Mary (b. 1854)
• Anna (b. 1856)
• Flavia (b. 1859)
• Mabel (b. 1864)

The 1850 US census shows that young Albert lived with his parents and siblings in Somerset, Pennsylvania, providing a glimpse into his early family life.

Career and Business Ventures

How did Albert Stewart build his career?

Albert Stewart’s professional journey began in Cincinnati, where he worked for the Aetna Life Insurance Company. However, his career took a significant turn when he became involved with the Middleton & Strowbridge Lithographing Company. Stewart’s innovative ideas in printing pictures were well-received and gradually evolved, leading to the company’s success.

The Middleton & Strowbridge Lithographing Company specialized in:

• Manufacturing multi-colored posters for theatres, circuses, and other entertainment venues
• Utilizing a new process involving large blocks of special slate from Germany
• Becoming one of the leading poster manufacturers in the Midwest

Stewart’s role in the company grew, and he was eventually sent to New York City when the firm opened an office there. His business acumen extended beyond lithography, as he also invested in the Barnum & Bailey Circus, which used Strowbridge posters.

Personal Life and Marriages

Albert Stewart’s personal life was marked by multiple marriages and personal tragedies:

1. First Marriage: On June 15, 1870, Stewart married Louisa Evelyn Woodruff. They had three children:

   • Josephine (b. November 12, 1872)
   • Gilbert R. (1872-1874)
   • Evelyn (b. 1875)

   Tragically, Stewart became a widower when Louisa passed away on April 15, 1876.

2. Second Marriage: In 1881, Stewart married Delphina “Ella” Gordon. This marriage was brief and ended in divorce before 1885.

3. Third Marriage: On June 27, 1889, Stewart married Florence Amanda Coe in Detroit, Michigan. This marriage lasted until his death on the Titanic.

Travels and Lifestyle

What was Albert Stewart’s lifestyle like?

Albert Stewart’s life was characterized by frequent international travel and a lavish lifestyle:

• He made numerous trips to Europe, often traveling first class
• Stewart typically carried four pieces of luggage when traveling alone
• Between 1892 and 1895, he sailed aboard luxury liners such as Umbria, La Bretagne, La Champagne, and Philadelphia
• The New York Herald (April 17, 1912) reported that Stewart was as much a resident of Paris as he was of New York
• He was a member of the Board of Trade in Paris
• The Stewarts often spent their winters in Europe
• In New York, they maintained residences at various prestigious addresses, including 37 5th Avenue

The Titanic Journey

What led to Albert Stewart’s presence on the Titanic?

Albert and Florence Stewart were both scheduled to return to the United States aboard the Titanic. Interestingly, Mrs. Stewart had purchased the tickets from an agent in Monte-Carlo. When the tickets were delivered, she reportedly said, “We were on the Olympic when she lost her propeller. We hope that this time we are not going to sink.”

However, Florence remained behind in Italy with her stepdaughter Josephine and two grandchildren to attend to an ill acquaintance. Albert boarded the Titanic alone at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912, as a first-class passenger. His ticket number was 17605, which cost £27, 14s, 5d.

What happened to Albert Stewart on the night of the Titanic’s sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Albert Stewart’s actions were heroic and selfless:

1. After the collision, steward Alfred Crawford convinced Stewart to put on his life jacket and even tied the elderly gentleman’s shoes.
2. Helen Bishop, a fellow passenger, later wrote a letter describing Stewart’s actions:
   • He warned other passengers to come up on deck
   • He gathered together Mr. and Mrs. Harder, Mr. Bishop, and Helen Bishop, trying to reassure them
   • Stewart told the group, “You four kiddies stay together and get in the first lifeboat. I’ll be right back here.”
   • He went back inside the ship, possibly to help others
   • When the group left in the lifeboat, there were not more than fifty people on the whole deck
   • They expected Stewart to follow in the next lifeboat, but tragically, he did not survive

Legacy and Estate

Albert Stewart’s death left a considerable estate:

• He had $35,000 in life insurance
• His estate included bank deposits, insurance, two automobiles, commissions from the lithograph company, and various securities and stocks
• The total value of his estate was $276,974
• His wife Florence received $92,307.76, while his daughter Josephine Taft received $184,725.52

A marker dedicated to Albert Stewart was erected in the Mound Hill Cemetery in Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio, serving as a lasting tribute to his memory.

Albert Ankeny Stewart’s life story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of late