Stewart Keightley was born Ireland in County Tyrone in 1947. He became manager of the Newcastle Coal Mining Company in 1877.  He was Vice and Deputy Consul of Newcastle for both the United States and Cuba, and was President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding Vice president of Newcastle District Cricket Association, patron of the Northern Districts Football Association (Australian Rules) and President of the Newcastle Federal League. 

Stewart Keightley was well respected and active community member, and was able to maintain friendships with his workers.  He negotiated with the miners in such a successful way, that it was rare for the miners to strike. In 1884 Keightley was Mayor of Newcastle. He also owned the Criterion Hotel and J Boughton's Bond Store on Hunter street Newcastle. 

 Stewart Keightley. From detail of Poster of the United States Consular Officers, Newcastle, [1890s].  Courtesy of the Newcastle and District Historical Society.