The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-16
The Late Charles Stone.

The recent death of this gentleman
has carried affection into a number of
families, among which we name that of
ex-Sherif Jas. L. Mccall of this village.
Mr.. Stone was the father of Mrs. Mccall
and had passed the past three summers
at the homestead in this village. The
Bulletin of Chillicothe, ILL.,, of the 9th,
has sketch of Mr.. Stone which we copy
below. 1t is in ertenSo of brief notice
in that paper of the previous week.
The Bulletin says: "By the death of
Charles Stone passes away one of the
prominent landmarks of the early settle
ment of the prairie around Lawn Ridge,
and our community loses one of her
valued citizens, and one who has ever
held in high esteem her best and noblest
interests.
'Mr. Stone was born in the town of
Fairfield, VT, March 2Sth, 1918. He was
reared on farm until he became man,
when he entered the employ of D. & II.
Stems, large wooden mandatory of
Pittsield, Mass. He enjoyed the con-
fi1ence of his employers, successfully
filling the position of foreman for a
number of years, when his health failing
he came Vast as their agent, buying
wool and selling their goods.
ut was then that he conceived the
glorious possibilities of this prairie in
the future, and selecting his location in
the spring of 1915 he removed here with
his family, stopping at Northampton
then stage station), during the sum-
mer until house could be built; he then
moved on to the farm on which he has
since resided, and the place was soon
known far and near as the Stone settle
ment.'
"He christened the township at its
| organization as La Prairie, believing it
to be the prairie of County and State.
HE was foremost in establishing our
postoffice, named it Lawn Ridge, and
was the first Postmaster, holding the
place for number of years, while his
Oldest boy, Henry, carried the mail from
the stage line on pony.
HE held his position with the mill
owners and for a number of years cared
for large flock of sheep, which they
sent out here for him to secure cheaper
pasturage.
"He held the office of Justice of the
Peace for years, ever judging the diff
ferences of contestants with fearless
head and clear conscience. In the fall
of $50 he ran for County Judge, but met
defeat at the polls Of Democratic
County.
He was married to Miss Margaret
McElroy in 1886, and to them were born
six children, three of whom died in
childhood. OF the three living, Julia
lives at Bennington, VT, Henry at
Kansas City, and Frank occupies the old
home. By chance combination of
circumstances all were here at his death.
HE united with the Congregational
church at the time or soon after it was
organized, under the passionate of Rev.
Bristol. The church has ever been as
the apple of his eye, constant in religious
and official duty, always pressing aside
every claim of farm or business for its
requirements.
''In 1860 he moved to Peoria with his
family but in 1855 returned to the farm
of his early choice.
"For couple of years he has had heart
trouble, but on August 30th, was feel
ing unusually well, and enjoyed long
call from his old friend. Roswell Bills,
of Peoria. In the early evening he sat
talking with Frank and his wife, feeling
well, got up and walked into his own
room and fell just as he reached his
chair. He was quickly lifted to the
chair, but died in few minutes, calling
only the one word, 'camphor.'
''The funeral was held at the home on
the LIST day of September, the service
being conducted by the Rev. Marsh, and
he was then carried to our beautiful
cemetery by sympathizing neighbors,
leaving behind his sorrow stricken wife,
who will now look forward to joyful
meeting on the bright celestial shore"