Lyman Stewart (July 22, 1840 – September 28, 1923) was a U.S. businessman and co-founder of Union Oil Company of California.

Stewart was also a significant Christian philanthropist and cofounder of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now known as Biola University).

[3] When Edwin Drake discovered oil near Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859, Stewart tried drilling wells in the same area.

After two disastrous attempts, he served a three-year enlistment in the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry during the American Civil War.

Hardison agreed to financially support Stewart, so they purchased some land where they hoped to find oil.

In 1890, they merged their interests with those of Thomas Bard and Paul Calonico to form the Union Oil Company.

Alfred did not stay with Union Oil, he ran an automotive machine shop and continued inventing the most notable carburetors.