STONER, Ralzaman J. 'Ralph' - 1890 Bio (1850-1894)

STONER, PARSONS, NEIL, HAMPSON, BEATTY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/29/2007 at 17:36:08

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 452-453

R. J. STONER, a well-to-do farmer and sheep herder residing on section 22, Fairfield Township, Jefferson County, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, September 22, 1850. Little is known concerning the early history of the family. His father was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and was of German descent. When a lad of fourteen years his parents emigrated westward, settling in Ohio when that State was thought to be almost on the borders of civilization. He was there reared and on attaining man's estate was joined in wedlock with Miss Almira PARSONS, who was born in Connecticut and whose people belonged to an old New England family. Their union was blessed with four children, three of whom are yet living. R. J., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest; Emma died while a student in Knox College of Galesburg, Ill.; Nettie makes her home with her mother; and Charles E., is a practicing physician of Altoona, Polk County, Iowa. He married Miss Nettie NEIL, who belongs to a pioneer family of Jefferson County. Abraham STONER, accompanied by wife and children bade good-bye to Ashland County, Ohio, in 1865, and made his way to Jefferson County, finally locating upon a farm which is now the property of our subject. A man of strict integrity, upright in all his dealings, he won the respect of all who knew him and at his death in June, 1888, much sorrow was felt not only by his immediate family but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He lived the life of a consistent Christian, being a member of the Congregational Church to which his widow also belongs. She now makes her home with her eldest son.

Until fifteen years of age, our subject remained in the county of his nativity where he acquired his primary education in the district schools of the neighborhood. After locating in Jefferson County he pursued a year's course of study in the Wesleyan University, of Mt. Pleasant, which completed his school life. At the age of twenty-one years he entered upon his business career and in the same fall took upon himself the care of a home. He was united in marriage with Miss Anna HAMPSON, who was born in Fairfield and is a daughter of E. C. and Margaret (BEATTY) HAMPSON. Three years after their marriage, they settled upon the farm which has since been their home and where Mr. STONER is yet actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. The well cultivated fields and the splendid improvements which he has made upon the two hundred and forty acres of land that pay tribute to his care and labor, are indications to a passer-by of this thrift and energy, while as a sheep-herder he stands in the front rank among the stock-raisers in Jefferson County. He keeps on hand about four hundred head of a good grade of sheep, together with twenty head of horses and a good grade of hogs. He also makes a specialty of the raising of clover seed. By the census enumerator's valuation we learn that Mr. STONER's farm, including personal property and real estate, is rated at about $5,600 and the greater part of his possessions have been acquired through his own effort.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.