William Stone was born in Jefferson County, New York on the 14th day of October 1827. Age of six years old, he accompanied his parents to Coshoocton County, Ohio. In that State he grew up and gained a eager education. He began life at the of thirteen, as hired hand upon a farm. Two years later, he was hired as team driver on the Ohio Canal. And the age of eighteen was a apprenticed to chair -maker. Which business he followed tell he reached his twenty-fourth year. That same year he was admitted to the Coshocton Bar.
Since 1854 , he has been a lawyer, editor judge, Chaplain, Major, Colonel and Governor. Commencing lower down than thousand of his competitors, he has left them all gaping and staring after him, and wondering how he did it, and there I shall leave them. All declare his is the luckiest man they ever knew.
The extent of Governor Stone's early education, was two turns, or winters, at a common county school. His knowledge of law was gained through the assistance and encouragement of James Matthew's, Esq., of Coshocton County, Ohio and later his father-in-Law. While Following his trade, he had access to this gentlemen law library, and prosecuted the study of his chosen profession with such zeal and energy as to be able. In 1851, to exchange the chair shop for the court room.He began practice as a partner of his former preceptor, and continued with till 1854. When he removed to Iowa, established himself at knoxville, Marion County.
During his first year in Knoxville, He practiced his profession. But in 1855, he purchased and began the publication of the knoxville"Journal". As editor of that paper, if I am rightly informed, He was the first man in Iowa to suggest the call of a convention to organize the Republican Party, there only in embryo.He was not only the first to suggest the call of a Republican Convention in the State. But was delegate to that convention, when called , and was nomination one of the Presidential Electors. Indeed, the beginning of Governor Stone's career as public man, in Iowa. Bears date at Iowa City, the 22d of February, 1856.
During the Presidential Canvass of 1856, he visited the principle part of Southern Iowa, in company with our first Republican representative Major - General Samuel R. Curtis. In that exciting canvass, he gained considerable note as a public speaker, which, with his genial off hand address, put him fairly before the people. In February, 1857 one year later, a judicial convention was called at Des Moines. To put in nomination a candidate for district judge of Stone's District. Stone was present in the convection. And through the influence of his friends. secured the nomination a candidate for district judge of Stone's District. Stone was present in the convention, and through the influence of his friends, secured the nomination from that time he became a rising man in the state. He was elected to the judgeship with a flattering majority. And having serving that term with credits, was in 1858, renominated and reelected with increased majorities.
He was the in cum bent of this offense, and holding a session of his court in Washington County, at the time the news reached him of firing on fort Sumter. He immediately adjourned his court, declaring at the time. That the county demanded of him and people other and more important services. Returning to Knoxville, Judge Stone raised a company , of which he was elected captain. He was assigned to the 3d Iowa Infantry in May. And on the 25th day of june following, was promoted to Majority of his Regiment
He accompanied his regiment into Northern Missouri as Captain. And he was in command of his company B. for he did not receive his commission as major till after his arrival at Chillicothe. While connected with the 3rd Iowa Infantry, Major Stone fought at the battles of blue Mills, ( Where he was wounded) and Shiloh. In the last named engagement he was commanded his regiment, he was made prisoner.
Something of his so journey in Dixie, as a prisoner of war. May be seen in sketch of Brevet Brigadier General J. M. Hedrick. Then a captain of the 15th Iowa Infantry. In nearly all cases, Stone was the spokesman of the Party. And his cheerfulness and which contributed not little in keeping his fellow prisoners spirits. What, I believe affordable the most amusement were the arguments between himself and the beligerous Colonel Shaw of the 14th Iowa Infantry. Stone could advocate anything, and Shaw would always take opposite.
They would often drag their discussion into the small hours of morning, while the other prisoner, congregated about them, would watch and listen attentively. Except when giving occasional attention to straggling gray back. In imagine that I can see then now congregated together. I can see them, attired in their cleanest linen, and seated in old rickety chairs and benches. And boxes, exhausting the whole calendar of attitudes. But Major Stone was even lucky as a prisoner of war.
In June , 1862, after some three month's captivity, he was selected as one of the federal officers, who being paroled by the rebel War Department, were he was dispatch to Washington to aid in arranging a cartel of exchange between the belligerent parties. At least Stone returned to Richmond and surrended himself to Rebel Authorities. Jefferson Davis, pleased with his conduct and with what he had done. Sent him back to Washington to renew his effort. His mission this time was successful. or at least was so represented. But however that may be it, it is certain that a general exchange came off in the following Fall.
Though Stone made a good records as Colonel of the 22d Iowa Infantry, there to nothing strikingly brilliant about it. He first several with his regiment in Missouri, and was for several weeks commander of Post at Rolla. His regiment served as the Provost guard. In the early part of 1863, he was order South to take part in the experiments against Vicksburg. And immediately moved down the Mississippi. To Milkmen's Bend, Louisiana, attached to Car's Division of Mc Clernand's Corp., (the 13th) Colonel Stone joined in the brilliant march of Grant's Army across the country to opposite briunsburg on the Mississippi. And thence to the rear of Vicksburg, A full account of this march, and its incidents will be found elsewhere. On this march the 22nd Iowa Infantry first met the enemy
In the battle of Port Gibson, the first of the Campaign, Colonel Stone commanded the brigade to which his regiment was attached. Or rather he commanded it during the forenoon of the engagement. early in the forenoon, he had become so completely as to be compelled to turn his commanded over to Colonel Merrill of the 21st Iowa Infantry. During the time he acted on the field, he conducted himself with much credit. In this engagement, too, the 22d Iowa Infantry reflected on itself much honor. Colonel Stone's Brigade led the advance from Bruinsburg. And was, of course , the first to encounter the enemy among the rugged hills south of Port Gibson. This was not far from the honor of midnight.
So soon as the enemy were encountered in force at Thompson's Hill. Major Atherton, the unfortunate who was in commanded of the 22nd Iowa Infantry. hurried the regiment to the front and deployed it in line to left of Captain Giffth's Battery. There the regiment rested on their arms that night. Until about ten o'clock of the following morning. The regiment acted as an artillery supported, and was then led forward to charge the rebel line. Which it did with gallantry, quickly routing the enemy. And promptly occupy the ground just before held by them in the severe fighting of the afternoon. The 22nd Iowa Infantry was in the front, and joined in the three distinct charges against the enemies lines, each of which was successful.
The following in from the official report of the regiment's conduct in the action: "Throughout this series of engagement the officers and men of the regiment behaved with great coolness and gallantry . I found them always ready and eager to obey the order to move on the enemy. So well did the entire commanded acquit themselves. I can not without seeming invidiousness. Enter into particulars It is sufficient to say, they acted nobly, and well sustained the honors already earned by Iowa Soldiers. Great case was taken to shelter the men from the enemies fire. Which the unevenness of the ground enabled us to do with comparative success. And yet, the loss of the regiment being greater with but one exception than that during the long and hotly contested engagement. Too much praise not be awarded to our surgeon, White and Pea body.
The loss of the 22nd Iowa Infantry at Port Gibson was two men killed and fourteen wounded. Lieutenant D. J Davis, WM.. DeCamp, J.T. Whittington, D.N.Henderson, and John Fransciso were among the latter. Lieutenant Davis was adjutant of the regiment.
Governor Stone is about six foot in height, and slender and erect. He has a Grecian face ,a large, straight nose. Large full gray eyes and spare features. His appearance is intelligent and prepossessing. The chief elements of his success are, I believe an easy entertaining address, interring industry and unlimited self-confidence. These sustained by a vigorous constitution and driven by an iron will. Have enabled him to accomplish whatever he under took. He rarely losses his temper and seldom discovers an immodest desire for distinction.
As a public speaker Governor Stone is fluent and forcible, but not polished- just what one would expect, when he remembers that all his early oratorical efforts were made at the bar. He has the happy faculty of forgetting himself in his theme. Many were witness of this fact at Des Moines. When himself and General Warren addressed the delegates the evening the Convention. Colonel Stone's wounded was still troubling him making it necessary for him to carry his hand in a sling.
But after entering upon his speech, he forgot that he
had but one well arm, and drawing it from the sling began twirling it in
violent gesliculations. Governor Stone's past successes have not only disappointed
his enemies, But surprised his friends. He is the most remarkable public
man in Iowa, and his future, as promising as that of man in the State.
General William Stone died in knoxville and buried at
Grace land Cemetery in Knoxville, Iowa