Colonel William Stone is a worthy example of the old-school southern gentleman, -- true and upright in all things, straightforward in business, genial and pleasant in manner, and most hospitable in his home. For many years he has been a resident of Texas, and his well-spent life has won him the confidence and respect of all. He has now reached the age of seventy-eight, but the years have dealt kindly with him, and he is now one of the honored and highly esteemed citizen of Comanche county.

A native of Warren county, Tennessee he first opened his eyes to the light of day early on a Monday morning, June 1, 1818, and was always called by his father "Early Bill." As he grew he became familiar with farm life in all its aspects, but his school privileges were meager. The blood of one of the heroes of the Revolution runs in his veins, his grandfather, William Stone, having entered the colonial army and received several wounds while fighting for the independence of this nation. He afterward located in South Carolina, where he became a farmer and tobacco-raiser, --one of the substantial planters of that state. He thoroughly endorsed the principles of Democracy, and instilled them into the mind of his grandson and namesake, --our subject. He married a Miss McClure, a native of Wales, who reached the advanced age of one hundred and two years, while her mother lived to the extreme age of one hundred and eighteen years!

James Stone, the father of the Colonel, was a native of South Carolina, and made farming his life work. He was an opponent of slavery, and was a warm supporter of the Democratic party. He came to Texas with his son William in 1843, having in the meantime spent ten years in Arkansas, and took up his abode in Rusk county, where he died about 1852. He was always farming and stock- raising, and was a man of good business ability, who won success in his undertakings. He served as deputy sheriff and other offices, and ever discharged his duties with the utmost promptness and fidelity. He married Miss Elizabeth Guest, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of William Guest, of English and Cherokee blood. Mrs. Stone, who was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, died in Erath County in 1857. In the family were eleven children, all of whom reached mature years, were married and reared families of their own, namely; Martin, now deceased; William; Sarah, wife of H. B. Carruthers; James, now deceased; Polly A., wife of A. Pruitt; Margaret, wife of John Welch; Matilda, wife of Willis Rhodes; G. B. And Redmond, both deceased; John L., a resident of Texas; and Larkin, deceased. The only two survivors of this family are William and John.

Although the educational advantages which our subject enjoyed were limited to three week' attendance at school in his native state, he has become a well  informed man as the result of his observation, practical experience and reading. He was reared in Tennessee and when a young man went to Missouri, where, in 1837, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Stinnett, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of John Stinnett, of Tennessee, who removed from that state to
Missouri, where he followed farming. He served as a captain in the Black Hawk war, and when last heard from was living in Missouri, at the age of ninety years. Six years after their marriage Mr. Stone moved the family to Texas, locating in Hunt county, where he engaged in the cattle business, and also opened up a small farm. Subsequently he went to Tarrant county, and in 1857 came to Comanche county, where he has since continued in the stock business. At one time he was one of the most extensive stock owners in the count, paying tax on ten thousand head of cattle. He bought a tract of land, developed a farm and there engaged in caring for his herds until the war. He also had many head of horses, but suffered great losses through theft. During and after the war he drove cattle to Mexico.  The thieving became so great in this section of the state that some rigorous measurers were taken by the settlers who were compelled to protect their interest and seventy-two men were shot and killed when caught in the act of stealing  stock! Mr. Stone was very successful in his business dealing and made a  considerable fortune, and lost not a little of his property during the war. He closed out his stock business in 1868.

During the period of reconstruction Colonel Stone figured prominently in the public affairs of the state, aiding to adjust everything to the new order and laboring for the best interests of Texas with an ardor that showed his devotion to the cause of the "Lone Star" and proved of great benefit to the state. In 1866 he took up his abode in Comanche, where he embarked in general merchandising as a member of the firm of Stone, Kingsbury and Homesley, and conducted the
business for six years. Since that time he has practically lived retired, engaging in no business save the care of his investments. He has sold his farms, but still owns some real estate in Proctor, which he rents. The year in which occurred the  sixtieth anniversary of his birth was largely devoted to hunting, and he killed  more than one hundred buffaloes, selling their hides.

To Mr. and Mrs. Stone were born three children, but one died in childhood.  Martha became the wife of G. Ratliff, who died in the army, and later she wed H. R. Martin, a prominent citizen of Comanche county. Margaret married Enoch James, of Alabama, who came to Texas with his parents during his childhood  days. He was first a stockman and later a merchant in Comanche. A prominent  and influential citizen, he supported the Democracy and served for four years as county clerk, also as justice of the peace. His death occurred in 1878 and his widow is now keeping house for her father. She has seven children: William S; a  minister of the Presbyterian church; Andrew L., a minister of the Missionary Baptist church; Thomas; Richard; Mattie; Elizabeth and Harry. Mrs. Elizabeth Stone died in 1846, in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which she was a faithful member. In 1848 the Colonel married Miss Malinda Ratliff, daughter of William Ratliff. She too was a member of the Cumberland  Presbyterian church and a lady of culture and intelligence who proved to her husband a faithful helpmate.

Colonel Stone has always given loyal support to the Democracy. Although not a member of any church he is a true Christian man, whose life has been in harmony with the underlying principles of religion , and profanity has formed no part of his speech. He is jovial and genial, with the old-time courtesy of the true southern gentleman. His experiences have been many and often of a thrilling nature during the early days of the state, but how he is quietly resting from all labors, enjoying the hours as they pass in the midst of relatives and friends, who have for him the respect and reverence which should always accompany old age.

(History of Texas: Supplemented with Biographical Mention of many Families of the State: A Concise History of the State from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Date: Together with Biographical Sketches of the Families of Central Texas, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1896, Volume 1)