Stone - William Everett
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke &
Fountain Co IN p. 482 (Chapman Bros 1893)
William Evermont STONE, a substantial citizen and one of the most prominent
Church members of Crawfordsville, was born in Livingstone Co KY on the Cumberland
River March 12, 1826. He is a son of William
and Elizabeth JOHNSTON Stone, both natives of Virginia, who had come to Ky.
with their parents. In 1841, his father having died some 8 years
previously, William Evermont's mother, then a widow came to Montgomery co IN
and settled in Brown Twp. Her first
husband, for she was a widow at the time of her marriage with Mr. Stone was GB
King. Her family at the date mentioned
above consisted of George B. KING, aged about 16; Sallie King who became the
wife of Thomas F. DAVIS of Montgomery County; Jane who married John HENDERSON
of Covington; Mary, afterward the wife of Owen Owens and now deceased; William
E, then aged 14; James, aged 12 and two younger girls, Susan and Nancy. Not being able to buy land, the mother rented
a farm and, with the assistance of her sons, managed to get along quite
comfortably. When William was 16, he
went ot work for a brother-in-law, Thomas Davis, with whom he lived till he
became nearly of age, at which time he had a horse, saddle and bridle to show
for his four years' service and had been given six months' schooling. In Sept
1846, he was married to Miss Mary CONNER and began business for himself,
renting land for 3 years, when he managed to purchase 80 acres and settled upon
that to make his home. He was successful
from the first and by his ability and strict attention to his work, gained a
comfortable living. At this time his mother made her home with him and about 5
years later he suffered the loss of his wife.
Dec 25, 1853, he was united in marriage to Sallie Graham VanCleave,
daughter of Benjamin and Polly (BROWN) VanCleave. Her father was a cousin
of the noted character, Elder M.M. VanCleave, and like him one of the earliest
settlers of Brown Twp, his father having come there from Kentucky as early as
1826. Mr. Stone added to his original tract of land and for 30 years was
engaged in the ordinary pursuits of farming and but slightly connected with
other business operations. That he was
successful is shown by the fact that his home bore a wide reputation as being a
model farm. In 1883 he decided to make a
change and moved into the village of Browns Valley; but after four years spent
there he changed his place of residence to Crawfordsville.
Mr. Stone has of late years been engaged in
shipping stock, and has also become identified with the banking interests of
Ladoga though his immediate personal attention has not been given to the
conduct of that institution. For nearly
20 years Mr. Stone’s health has not suffered him to engage freely in the laborious
duties incident to farming, and having acquired a fair competence, he has
endeavored to live easily and in a rather quiet way. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have
not been blessed with children, but a brother's daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, was
reared by them from infancy. She is now
the wife of George W. WASSON and her daughter, Stella, who is much beloved by
her friends, is at present a member of the graduation class of the high
school. Mr. Stone is a stanch Democrat
and while never an office seeker, his energies are devoted to the advancement
of the interests of his party and through that to the welfare of the
country. Both he and his wife are strict
communicants of the Regular Baptist Church and no member is more liberal in the
support of the Church, or more earnest in its missionary and general society work. No little credit is due these estimable
people for the erection of the new Church, which is now an assured fact. In connection with Mr. Stone’s life it will be
interesting to note other members of the family: his brother, James father of
Elizabeth, spoken of above, died 7 years since.
His sister Susan married James ELLIS and had two sons, William and
James, and after the loss of her husband, became the wife of Joseph ROBERTS of
Guthrie Co, Iowa; where they now reside. Nancy is the widow of Paul KNAPPER,
and their home is at Kansas City, Mo. Mary's
first husband was Peter JAMES who died only 8 months after marriage and but a
short time before the birth of his son, Peter James. This son grew to
maturity and married Susan CONNOR sister of Mrs. Stone's first wife and lived
in Brown Twp, till his death, July 26, 1891 at the age of 61. His daughter, Cora James a handsome and
accomplished young lady is making a temporary home with Mr. and Mrs. Stone
while pursuing her musical studies in accordance with a natural taste and
desire. She is of a refined nature a
lady whose companionship and friendship are highly esteemed by all with whom
she comes in contact. On Mrs. Stone's side there is also an interesting
record. Her father, Benjamin VanCleave
came to Brown Twp in 1826 with his father, John from Henry County, Kentucky
where he was born in 1800. He died
in1873 and his wife, Polly followed him in 1884. They had 8 children who reached maturity, and
four are still living; Lucinda, wife of John EASLEY New Market; John B,
Shelbyville, Indiana; Simeon, New Market and Mrs. Stone. Marjary A, who never
married, died a few years since; Nancy became Mrs. William CLARK of Whitesville
and her death occurred 8 years ago; Mary C. was Mrs. Isaiah VanCleave and died recently
at New Market and Gideon has been dead 20 years. Benjamin VanCleave was always
engaged in farming, and was considered one of the substantial men of his
community. He was a man of fine
Christian Character and was highly respected for his many excellent traits. He
was a loyal Presbyterian and his daughter became a member of the same Church in
1853, but two years later severed connection with it and became identified with
the old Freedom Baptist Church to which Mr. Stone had belonged since 1848. This was one of the oldest Churches of
Montgomery Co. Its pastor, Elder Rees DAVIS who baptized and married Mrs.
Stone, had led his flock there for upward of 20 years being one of the
respected pioneer minister whose lives were wholly devoted to the people and
whose influence extends all along the years and whose works and remembrance are
revered by all who came within even the outer radius of their circle of
helpfulness.-- transcribed by kbz