(Editor’s Note: The following article, reprinted in its entirety, originally appeared in the Westvaco News, a publication of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Mill, in 1935. James W. Stewart, the oldest employee at the Luke mill at that time, was also the first African American to be employed there, according to his great-grandson, Clifton “Butch” Green, formerly of Piedmont and currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio.)
James H. Stewart is the paper mill’s oldest employee, having been in the service of the company at their plant here in Luke continuously since Feb. 7, 1890.
James H. Stewart was born at McGaheysville, Rockingham County, Virginia, Sept. 11, 1868. James was born three years after the release of his parents from slavery. His father belonged to Squire Rush of McGaheysville and worked there in a tannery.
His mother belonged to the Gilmore family of the same place. James was one of five children, and several years after slavery the family moved to a farm somewhere in Ohio. It was in Ohio that the children grew up, and were given some schooling. James’ father died in Ohio, and then his mother moved to a place near Martinsburg, W.Va.
James by now was full grown husky youth of 18, and had to strike out on his own. So on May 6, 1886, he got work with the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railroad, helping to construct the road bed.
At first he worked on the road near Cumberland, Md., and later on up around Thomas, W.Va.
He worked for the railroad about a year, and then he came to Westernport, and went to work for Fuller Barnard as a plasterer’s helper. It was while working for Mr. Barnard that he married Emma B. Mason on Dec. 27, 1887.
The plastering business wasn’t just to Jim’s liking so he got a job with Mr. Fredlock, and on Feb. 7, 1890, he had just finished helping cut the ice of the pond in the mill yard when he asked David L. Luke Sr. for a job in the mill.
Mr. Luke hired him and he first worked in construction on the digester house under John H. Hubert (Heltzen).
For 45 years Jim has worked in the construction department. He worked under Charlie Karns, Johnny Cox and is now working under Frank Borges.
Jim helped the mill grow, and watched the town grow up around it, and Jim grew also. He owns a large and beautiful home on Erin Street in Piedmont.
Jim has raised a large family, four girls and three boys. One girl died this year, another married Frankie Freeman, who works in the mill. One lives in Cincinnati and the third is at home. All three of Jim’s boys, Harry, Leslie and Aubrey, work in the mill. Jim and all his family are honest workers, peace-loving folks who enjoy the respect of all who know them.
Jim knew Mr. Jim and Dave Luke as well as if they were one of his family.
He has been promised his job as long as he wants it. Jim has been offered a pension, but he says he is too young to think about such a thing.
