A History of Greater Dallas and Vicinity: Volume 2 Page: 256 of 485

                                
230            GREATER DALLAS AND VICINITY
business center of Dallas, being one of the largest individual holders of
such realty in the city. He is vice president of the Trinity National Bank
and has always given a hearty support and encouragement to all movements
promoting the commercial and civic life of Dallas.
Born in Prince William county, Virginia, in 1854, Mr. Stewart received
in 1862, through his uncle, the Hon. James K. Moorhead, a member of
congress from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, appointment as page in the house
of representatives at Washington, and served in that capacity until 1870a
period in the nation's history that, as reflected in congress particularly,
was filled with events of momentous import and thrilling interest, embracing
as it did the great Civil war period, the impeachment proceedings
against Andrew Johnson, the reconstruction acts and many other events of
national importance. In the year of 1873 he came to Texas, and locating
soon afterward in Galveston he was engaged in mercantile pursuits there
until coming to Dallas in 1887, where, in the following year of 1888 and in
company with Benjamin N. Boren, he founded the Boren-Stewart Company,
wholesale grocers. After the death of Mr. Boren he became the
senior member of the firm, and has ever since been identified with the
house, one of the leading institutions of its kind in the great southwest.
Mr. Stewart's wife was before marriage Miss Ada Rauch, a daughter of
Jacob Rauch, now of Oklahoma, but a pioneer resident and for many years
a prominent business man of Dallas and a former public official. He is
particularly well remembered by the early residents of this city for his public
spirit in the upbuilding of Dallas in its younger days.
JOHN P. MURPHY.-In reviewing the points which mark the life and
achievements of John P. Murphy in Texas it is noted that he is the president
and founder of a business that has contributed as much or more toward
the upbuilding and development of Dallas than any other corporation or
individual. As the president of the Murphy-Bolanz Land and Loan Company
his name is a familiar one in the business circles of northeastern
Texas.
Born at St. Charles, Missouri, March 4, 1837, he is a son of Thomas
C. and Margery (Boyce) Murphy, both of whom were born in Ireland, but
coming to America in their youth they were married in Cincinnati, Ohio,
from whence they moved to St. Charles, Missouri, and later to Washington
county, Missouri, about sixty miles south of St. Louis, in the lead mine
district.
During six years John P. Murphy studied in the St. Louis University,
more familiarly known as Jesuit College. In April of 1861 he enlisted in
the Confederate army at the outbreak of hostilities in St. Louis, but was
only permitted to serve in the army for a few months, for, while preparing
to organize a company for General Hardy's command, his father died and
the care of the family then fell upon his young shoulders, so he was compelled
to resign from the army and take up the serious duties at home. He
was in St. Louis on the day Camp Jackson surrendered, but during the
most of the war period he was at Old Mines, in Washington county, where