Rev. George STONE, a resident of Columbus Junction, Iowa, is one of the pioneers of Louisa County, to which he first came in 1842. He was born on the 16th of August, 1816, in Gloucester County, N. J., and is a son of Joshua and Rebecca (FISH) STONE. His father was born in New Jersey in 1792, and his ancestors were originally from England, though the paternal grandfather was a native-born American. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Isaac FISH, a native of Sweden, though he emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War, in which he served.

George received a liberal education in an academy, and was reared upon a farm. From New Jersey he came directly to Louisa County, Iowa, reaching his destination during the latter part of the month of November, and located upon a farm on section 34, Concord Township, which was situated on the north side of the Iowa River, and comprised 200 acres of land. He engaged in its cultivation until several years after his marriage, which occurred in 1844, he becoming the husband of Janet RODDAN, a daughter of David and Margaret RODDAN. She was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Dec. 25, 1825, emigrated to America in 1836, and was married Oct. 20, 1844, in Louisa County. Eight children were born of their union, five sons and three daughters: John P., born Sept. 15, 1846, is married, and resides in California; Robert R., born April 17, 1848, died Jan. 15, 1876; Rebecca, born Nov. 15, 1850, is the wife of Daniel STROUP, a resident of California; Margaret R., born Feb. 13, 1853, is the wife of George I. CHURCH, of Columbus Junction; Joshua, born May 12, 1856, became the husband of Mary STROUP, and is living in Colorado, 105 miles southeast of Denver; Isaac, born May 5, 1861, is single, and resides at Ft. Madison; Mary A. C., born Nov. 29, 1866, is the wife of Cary RHODES, of Columbus Junction; and George, who was born Jan. 2, 1869, died January 12 of the same year.

In 1854 Mr. STONE became connected with the Church of God, from which he received a license to preach, and was ordained as a minister in 1860. His first charge was in Johnson County, Iowa, at Pokertown, where he remained pastor of the church for two years, after which he went to Washington County, where he also preached for two years. At the expiration of that time he began doing evangelical work in Louisa County, which he continued until 1882, when he removed to Ringgold County, and there followed the same line of work until October, 1884. Returning to Columbus Junction at that time, he has since continued to reside there, though his field of labor lies in Keokuk and Des Moines Counties.

Mr. STONE is an original thinker, and takes broad and liberal views in his interpretation of the Holy Word. He has labored earnestly and faithfully to do his part in making the world better, and has won the respect and esteem of a large circle of Christian people.

SOURCE: FAIRBAIRN, Robert Herd Portrait and Biographical Album of Louisa County, Iowa Vol. I. Chapter 19. p. 363. S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1919.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009