Stone, James

STONE, BIRCHAM, ROBINSON, MCCALLA, GARDNER

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2019 at 13:04:10

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 663:

"JAMES STONE, deceased, was born in Yorkshire, England, December 8, 1801, a son of John Stone. When a young man he learned the trade of a millwright and in 1830 left his native country, coming to America, and the four years following resided in Madison, Ohio. He then located in Putnam County, Indiana, where for a few years he was engaged in the general mercantile business, and later operated a mill. He was twice married, and by his first wife, whose maiden name was Mary Bircham, he had three children -- John, William and James, all of whom died in infancy. For his second wife he married Miss Emily Robinson, in Putnam County, Indiana, in 1847, she being a native of Washington County, Indiana, born December 9, 1812. To this union were born five children -- George, Mary, wife of W. H. McCalla, of Long Creek Township, Decatur County; Martha, wife of J. A. Gardner; Isabella, wife of F. A. Gardner, and Kate, living at home. Mr. Stone came to Iowa in the fall of 1850, and leaving his family in Monroe County, he started out to look for a home, and made his selection in Decatur Township, Decatur County, where he settled April 11, 1851. Here he made a claim of 160 acres on section 11, purchasing his claim as soon as it came into market. He was an industrious, energetic man, and rapidly improved his land. He did not have a large capital, but had sufficient means to purchase his land, and care for his family until a crop could be raised. He was prosperous in his farming operations and added to his original purchase till he had 440 acres, where he resided till his death, October 1, 1870. His widow still lives on the homestead with their eldest son, George. George Stone was born in Putnamville, Putnam County, Indiana, August 21, 1848, and was but two years and eight months old when his parents settled in Decatur County. He has always lived on the homestead which his father entered April 11, 1851, and was educated in the public schools of Decatur County. His father's estate has never been divided, and is now managed by him. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)