David Stuart was the second child of Robert Stuart, a fur trader and partner of John Jacob Astor. He attended Amherst College and graduated in 1838. In 1842, Stuart was admitted to the Michigan Bar and was appointed Detroit City Attorney. Stuart was appointed Wayne County Prosecutor in 1844. As the Democratic candidate, he was elected to Congress from the Michigan First District. At the end of his term in 1855, he retired from politics and moved to Chicago as one of the attorneys for the Illinois Central Railroad.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Stuart set out to raise troops. He raised two regiments of 1,000 men each and equipped them from his own funds. On July 22, 1861, Stuart was elected Lt. Colonel of the 1st Douglas Regiment and on October 31, he was elected Colonel of the 55th Regiment. Colonel Stuart was in command of a brigade in Sherman’s division at the Battle of Shiloh where he was severely wounded. On December 2, 1862, President Lincoln appointed David Stuart, Brigadier General. The appointment was not confirmed by Congress and Stuart resigned his commission. He returned to Detroit and resumed his law practice. He died on September 12, 1868.
Born: March 12, 1816
Died: September 12, 1868
Buried: Section A, Lot 76