Mr. Stuhr has, therefore, spent his active life in Hoboken, and to the growth and welfare of the city and also to many of its leading institutions he has contributed some of the best elements of his life. There he acquired his elementary education. He also studied for three years at a prominent institution of learning in Germany, and by the time he had reached early manhood had gained a good classical knowledge as well as a liberal knowledge of the world. Upon his return to the United States in 1871 he entered the Law Department of New York University, from which he was graduated with honor in 1879, receiving the degree of LL.B. He subsequently continued his legal studies in the Vroom, of Hoboken, and office of James W. was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney in November, 1880, and as a counselor in November, 1883.

Since 1880 Mr. Stuhr has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Hoboken. He rose rapidly to a leading place at the bar, not by any sudden freak of circumstances, but by his own efforts, by the exercise of recognized legal ability, and by those honest, straightforward paths which inevitably lead to an honorable end. Careful and painstaking in the preparation of each case which was intrusted to his charge, industrious and indefatigable in collecting both facts and evidence, and sincere in all his arguments before a court and jury, he soon gained an enviable reputation for skill and ability, and for several years has been regarded by his associates as well as his fellow-citizens as a leader of the Hudson County bar. He is one of the ablest and strongest advocates in the trial of causes in the State. Few lawyers have in this respect a higher or wider reputation. His masterful presentation of cases before courts and juries has frequently been noted. He is especially strong in argument, keen and adroit in the examination of witnesses, and a public speaker of admitted prominence and eloquence. A man of unquestioned integrity, he possesses scholarly as well as legal attainments of a high order, and at the bar and in public and private life has been eminently successful.

Mr. Stuhr was Corporation Counsel of the City of Hoboken from 1883 to 1885 inclusive, and served as Assistant Counsel to the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hudson County in 1888. In these capacities he materially magnified an already high reputation, and discharged his duties with characteristic ability. From boyhood he has been deeply and actively interested in the advancement of his adopted city. He has always been a prominent Democrat, and for several years was President of the Jeffersonian Democracy of Hudson County. In 1889 he was nominated by that party as their candidate for State Senator, and also received the indorsement of the Republicans, and after one of the most exciting campaigns in the history of his county was declared defeated. But he was not one to abide by this decision, which appeared at once to have been brought about by unfair means. He therefore determined to make a contest, and did, with the result that he was seated in the Senate in May, 1890, just as the Legislature was about to adjourn. Probably the most significant and important result of the testimony taken at this time was the indictment by the grand jury of more than fifty election officers of Hudson County, forty of whom were tried and convicted. These were among the most flagrant and noted election frauds ever discovered and prosecuted in New Jersey.

Senator Stuhr was not permitted, however, to actively fill the position which he had so honestly and dearly won. In January, 1891, the Democrats, gaining control of the Senate, unseated him, but not until he had made on the floor of the Senate one of the ablest and most brilliant defenses on record in New Jersey. For three hours on the 15th of that month, immediately after the election of officers, he defended his seat with a zeal and courage which challenged the admiration of his political adversaries and gained for him a host of friends from all parties. Packed galleries at first attempted to interrupt him, but after five minutes all were quiet, and he was given the closest attention to the end. His quiet dignity, his manly courage and commanding presence, his brilliant argument in defense of his rights, not only awed his hearers, but in numberless instances convinced them of the justice of his cause. Even the adherents of McDonald, his opponent, who crowded the Senate and galleries, accorded him their highest respect as a result of his logical and eloquent speech. The vote was taken in silence, but no argument was or could be advanced to show the constitutionality of the action of the majority. The Trenton Times, characterizing it as "The First Revolutionary Act," says:

"It was unconstitutional, revolutionary, and entirely without precedent, and can only serve to inflict injury upon the party which performed the act. Senator Stuhr, it will be remembered, was seated by the Senate after a long and tedious investigation. In that investigation it was shown that the frauds of Hudson County were so great that they must have tainted the result and affected the seat of Senator McDonald. Whether wise or unwise, the Senate Election Committee decided then not to call a new election, but to declare that Mr. Stuhr had probably received a majority of the votes cast, and should be sworn into office, and the Senate solemnly, on its own responsibility as a judicial body, so adjudicated."

Again the same paper, in speaking of Mr. Stuhr's brilliant effort, said: "Senator Stuhr's address in defense of his seat, yesterday, was at times burning with an eloquence which is rarely heard in the New Jersey Legislature. . . . He has shown qualities of courtesy and manliness which have made for him hosts of friends. He came to the legislative halls a stranger, but his modest demeanor and pleasant manner, proving him at once a gentleman and a fair minded, conservative man, won praise and friendship. He goes back to his home known and appreciated outside of Hudson County."