Fred L. Stone

FRED L. STONE. One of the first men to strike a pick into the mineral deposits around the present City of Galena in Cherokee County was the late Joseph T. Stone, whose experiences in that new mining field began nearly forty years ago. His son Fred L. Stone has spent the greater part of his active career in and around mines, beginning as a miner and later developing a business of his own, and is now one of the leading mine operators and business men of Galena.

This is a family that has been in America since colonial days. The Stones were English people who came to America and settled in New Jersey. Fred Stone's grandfather, Lewis Stone, was born in New Jersey, went to Kentucky early in life, where he was a farmer and blacksmith, and he enlisted from that state and saw service throughout the period of the Mexican War during the '40s. His death occurred in Barren County, Kentucky, before Fred Stone was born.

Joseph T. Stone, above mentioned, was born in Barren County, Kentucky, in 1847, and in 1852 he was taken by his parents to Southern Missouri. Though a small boy at the time he enlisted in 1862 at Springfield, Missouri, in the Eighth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and was in service three years, twenty-one days. He was in the campaigns at Wilson Creek, Neosho, Springfield, Missouri, on Bear Creek, was taken a prisoner of war, and escaped from Baxter Springs, Kansas, just a few hours before Blount's Guard arrived at Fort Baxter. For a year or so after the war Joseph Stone made his living chiefly by hauling corn meal from Fort Baxter to Granby, Missouri, with an ox team. He then became a miner and followed that occupation the rest of his life. As already mentioned he was one of the first miners at Galena, arriving there and beginning work in the fall of 1878. He died at Galena May 12, 1892. He was a republican and a member of the Baptist Church. His wife, Emma E. Williams, was born in Kentucky in 1846 and died in Galena in 1894. Their four children were: Fred L. Stone, who was born at Granby, Missouri, May 14, 1867; Lula, wife of S. P. Anthony, a contractor at Webb City, Missouri; Oliver R., a blacksmith at Galena; and Bettie D., who is unmarried and lives at Aurora, Missouri.

Fred L. Stone has lived in Galena since he was ten or eleven years of age. He attended the local schools, but left his books and studies at the age of seventeen to find regular employment in the mines. He also learned the trade of machinist, and is now head of the firm of Stone & Pinson, operating a general machine shop at 203-205 East Seventh Street in Galena.

In 1901 Mr. Stone became an independent mine operator, and is now operating a mine a mile out of Galena on West Seventh Street. He is also sole owner and proprietor of the Black Hill Mining Company, engaged in the production of lead and zinc. Besides the ownership of considerable mineral lands, Mr. Stone has an attractive residence at 617 East Seventh Street.

He is a republican, has served on the city council two years, is affiliated with Galena Lodge No. 195 Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Galena Camp No. 804, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Sons and Daughters of Justice. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Community Club at Galena.

On June 25, 1890, at Galena, he married Miss Mary A. Dickey, daughter of George W. and Mahala (Fisk) Dickey. Her parents came from Indiana, both are now deceased, her father having been a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have two children: Fred T., who is a graduate of the Galena High School, spent one year in Baker University, and is now a mail carrier living at home with his parents; and Martha L., who is still pursuing her education in the schools of Galena.

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BIOGRAPHIES — VOLUMES 3, 4, & 5
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