William Addison Stewart was born May 24, 1809 in Buffalo, New York to James Stewart and Roxana Stillman. The family moved to Sangamon County, Illinois in 1820.

Stewart participated in the Black Hawk War in 1832, during which he held command in the Illinois Volunteers, participating under President Lincoln. Stewart was in command of a supply train under his uncle, Isaiah Stillman at the time of his defeat on Rock River. Mr. Stewart taught school on Fancy Creek for a time after the war.

In 1841, Stewart wed Elizabeth W. Haman. They had a son, James, born in 1843.

In 1860 the family was living in Hamilton County, Ohio. Stewart worked as river pilot and later captain, running boats between Cincinnati, St. Louis, and New Orleans. He served as secretary and trustee of the Cincinnati and New Orleans Pilots' Benevolent Association.

Prior to the Civil War, Capt. Stewart was appointed to a committee to assess channels and bearings of the Mississippi River. During the war, Capt. Stewart was engaged, under Cmdre. A.H. Foote, in fitting out the gunboats Carondelet, and the Mound City, the latter of which he took command and was in several actions on the Mississippi River.

Capt. Stewart was engaged under Admiral Porter as a pilot of the USS Osage in the battle at Fort Derussy on the Red River on March 14, 1864. He tendered his resignation in April 1864, having received a commission from the Sec. of the Treasury as U.S. Local Inspector of Steamboats in Cincinnati, which he held until 1867 when he resigned.

The family came to Springfield in July 1866, establishing W.A. Stewart and Company in the coal industry. Capt.

Stewart was a member of the High Street M. E. Church, Springfield, Ohio; also of the Masonic Fraternity. Following the murder of Daniel Hertzler, Capt. Stewart was urged to take the office of Chief of Police of Springfield which he accepted on October 14, 1867. He was Springfield's first Chief of Police, and was tasked with establishing the city's police force. On resigning his office, he refused to accept any remuneration for his services.

On July 21, 1869 Captain William A. Stewart died from heart disease and is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery.

Captain William A. Stewart is buried in Section D, Lot 117 of Ferncliff Cemetery.