Stalwart received its name when the post office was established in 1881 at this settlement. Edgar J. Swart, postmaster at Prentis Bay at the time, and John J. McKenzie made application for a post office for the new settlement, and it was finally granted. The Post Office Department at Washington, D.C. asked the settlers to submit a name for their post office. As Garfield was the new President of the United States, they chose this name for their settlement. Word came back, however, that there was already a post office established by that name. So the name of Arthur was submitted by the settlers, but there was a Post Office in Michigan by this name also. So the Post Office Department at Washington, D.C. submitted to the settlers the name of Stalwart, because president Garfield was a Stalwart factor in the Republican party, and it would still be named for him. The name was accepted and the little village still honors in name the unfortunate President whose untimely end brought about the Civil Service Reform Law. (President Garfield met his death at the hands of a man who had been begging the President to give him a job. As the President could not do this, the man shot him. Soon after, Congress passed the law whereby those desiring government jobs must pass a civil service examination. This gives all an equal chance of looking out for themselves and placing no responsibility on the President.)
Photo of the Stalwart Post Office (closed 6/5/1995) - contributed by John ([email protected]
Photo of the Stalwart Post Office (closed 6/5/1995) - contributed by John ([email protected]
