| JAMES B. STONE, a retired farmer of Oregon, was born March 27, 1826, on the Isle of Wight, both of his parents, Jonathan and Harriet (Dore) Stone, being natives of that island. The father was a shepherd by occupation. He came to America about 1851 and the following year to Dane county. He first located in the town of Berry and lived there until 1853, when he moved to the place where the subject of this sketch now lives, in the town of Fitchburg.Jonathan Stone was born in the year 1790 and died in 1877. His wife died in 1883. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their eight children only two are now living: James B. and George W., the latter living in the city of Madison. Those deceased were Maria, Jacob, Charlotte, Eliza, Ann and John.James B. Stone received his elementary education on his native island and attended school for a short time in the state of New York after coming to this country. He left home in February, 1842, when but sixteen years of age, and made his way to America, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, the voyage requiring six weeks and five days. He landed in New York city, and in April went to the town of Hopewell, Ontario county, and then to Waterloo, Seneca county, where he lived until November, 1846. From that time until 1853 he worked in a soap and candle factory, and in other occupations, coming to the place where he now lives in February, 1853.
His first possessions there were eighty acres of wild land, which he improved and has added to it until he now owns two hundred and thirty-seven acres. Part of this he leases out every year, and upon the rest conducts a general farming business, though he has practically retired from the active management of the farm. Mr. Stone takes a keen interest in public affairs, though he is independent in his political views. He keeps himself well informed on the issues of the day and votes according to his judgment. In June, 1859, he married Miss Emma Dore, a native of New Haven, Conn., and daughter of David and Elizabeth (Gradge) Dore. Her parents were both natives of England, but came to America in 1832, locating first in Connecticut, but in 1843 settled in Racine county, Wis., where her father bought a farm and became one of the pioneers of that section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have two sons. Homer A. is a farmer in the town of Fitchburg. He married Miss Elizabeth Owens of Dane county. James D. is single and lives at home with his parents on the farm. 1906 History of Dane County, Wisconsin, p. 856-857. |
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