The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-01-19
Governor Stone.

Governor stone.
EE- Colonel WILLIAM NJ. STONE, now
Governor of Iowa, is but another exam
pie of the genius of our free institutions,
where merit and industry is ever reward
ed, and his example fully illustrates what
earne purpose and integrity, energy
can accomplish in this country Of ours
The Davenport Gazette furnishes us with
some valuable and interesting informa
ton in regard to his early history, and
we shall report a few Items for the bene-
fit Of our readers.
He was born in Jefferson County, New
York, of poor parents, where he resided
until 1884, when his parents emigrated
to Coshocton County, Ohio. Schools
were in backward state, and the sub
ject of our sketch was unable to obtain
even the most common rudiments of ed
ucation. From the age Of ten to four.
teen, he was hired out as laborer, all
of his earnings being given to the sup
port of the family. AT the age of four
teen, he worked on canal driving dirt
cart with Celtic and Teu,onic Iaborers,
where he remained for one year, and
then went to driving team On the tow
path at the rate Of s. per month, while
in the winter seasons he chopped wood
at fifty cents cord. At the age of sew
enteen, he became enamoned OF tailors
life, and took his seat on the bench, to
learn the mysteries of gusset and seam
Six months was enough. Young STONE
got tired Of this Turkish mode of exis-
tence, and engaged himself to Mr.. DEW
Ely, of Coshocton, now Cedar Rapids, in
in this State, TO learn the cabinet making
business. He applied himself to this
steadily; porting over his law books by
night, until he was admitted to the Bar
in 1851. The Hon. JAMES MATTHEWS,
Of Coshocton, whose daughter he after
wards married, was his perceptor. Work
becoming scarce, young STONE removed
to Akron, Ohio. and resided there six
months. making chairs by day, and
reading law books at night, which were
loaned him by Gen. LUCAS V. BIERcE,
a prominent lawyer of that place. who
took much interest in the yonng student.
After many vicissitudes and changes. he
finally returned to Coshocton, and formed
a partnership with Mr.. MATTHEW'S. An
extensive practice soon sprung up, en-
bracing some of the first legal talent of
the State, among whom STONE was noted
as very promising young Democrat.
He stumped large portion of Ohio for
PIERCE in 1859, and occupied high,
social, and political position. About
this time the Western fever began TO
rage, and in 1854 he removed to Iowa,
reaching Knoxville on the 18th of No
vember with just FIVE dollars in his
pocket. Soon after his arrival he start
ed the Knoxville Journal, the first Re.
publican paper in the State West of Os-
kaloosa The Kansas Nebraska bill had
elfectually cured him of all connections
with the Democratic party, and he re.
NAMED with the Journal until the fall
Of 1856. In this year he commenced the
practice of the Jaw in KNOXVILLE, and in
April, 1857, was elected Judge Of the
District Court, with but lille opposition.
In consequence of change in the Dis
tricts of the Stale, Judge STONE was
placed in the 9th, and new election be-
came necessary. This was secured him
in 1858, and he remained on the bench
until he abandoned it for the army in
1861. When the first call for troops
was made, Judge STONE was holding
Court at Fairfield. He adjourned Court
and FASTENED home, when he enlisted as
a private in company of volunteers,
and was unanimously elected captain.
His company was assigned TO the Sd
Iowa Infantry, and upon the organiza-
ticn OF the Regiment, Captain SToSE
was appointed Major, and served in that
capacity until commissioned Colonel of
the 22d Infantry. He participated in
the battles of Blue Mills and Shiloh, at
which latter point he, with his command
in Gen. PRESTIss' division. were taken
prisoners. He was confined for several
months, and here the thanks of the coun.
Try are dse him Cor lis successful eifor,s
n regard 10 the exchange Of prisoners.