yesterday's tennessee

About the Author

G. Tillman Stewart

G. Tillman Stewart was born November 21, 1906 in Lexington, Tennessee.  His father, G. W. was appointed U. S. Deputy Marshall by President Theodore Roosevelt.  Subsequently, the Stewart family lived at the Henderson County Poor Farm for 12 years.

Stewart's early education included years at Palestine and Maple Grove schools.  He was graduated from Lexington High School and, in 1930, the University of Tennessee.  At the university, Stewart was president of the Chi Delta Debating Society, captain of the track team, and cross-country two-mile champion in 1930.

After one year as coach and teacher at Lexington High School, Stewart was elected superintendent of Henderson County Schools and, at age 24, was believed to be the youngest in the nation to hold that office. From 1940 to 1943, he served as principal of Parsons School in Decatur County and later as principal of Morris Chapel School in Hardin County.

After his service in World War II, Stewart became the county veterans service officer and later the county register.  From 1954 to 1958 and from 1962 to 1974, he resumed the office of county school superintendent.  Following his retirement from this position, Stewart became president-elect of the Tennessee Retired Teachers Association on June 30, 1977, and later assumed the presidency upon the death of Thomas O. Dye.  During Stewart's long and distinguished professional career, he has filled many important positions and made innumerable contributions to education in Tennessee.

G. Tillman Stewart is an elder and superintendent of Sunday School at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he has taught for 52 consecutive years.  He is a Mason and a charter member of the Rotary Club.  For four years he has been a licensed paralegal for Henderson, Hardin, and Decatur counties and is currently employed by Federal Southwest Development Corporation.  Stewart has been the official Henderson County historian for more than ten years.