Santa
Clara County
Biographies
THOMAS
J. STONE
THOMAS J. STONE. Prominent among the representative citizens
of San Jose is Thomas J. Stone, whose connection with the public library
of this city has won for him the highest regard of all who appreciate his
generous efforts to promote the best interests of this institution, and thus
enhance the intellectual and moral culture of the community. He has proved himself a citizen whose efforts
toward a personal success have always lain parallel with those in behalf of
whatever section of country he has called his home.
Born in Champaign county,
Ohio, January 26, 1840, Mr. Stone was a son of John Stone, the
descendant of an honored family of the middle west and himself prominent in
local affairs. He received his education
in the schools of his native locality, after which he learned the carpenter’s
trade. This he followed until the
breaking out of the Civil war, when, at the first call, he enlisted for three
months in Company C, Thirteenth Ohio Regiment of Infantry and was made
corporal and later sergeant. Before the
end of the three months he re-enlisted and served with great credit all through
the battles in which his regiment engaged, remaining in the service until the
close of the war in 1866. For gallant
conduct he was promoted to a captaincy and was in command of the company at the
close of the war. On returning to civil
pursuits, Mr. Stone removed to St. Louis, Mo., and there engaged at
his trade until 1888. On account of
impaired health he concluded to try the climate of California, and accordingly
located at San Jose. Here he found a
congenial climate and conditions favorable both for a return of health and
success in his work. After locating in
San Jose, however, he entered into the real estate business instead of
following his trade. Their beautiful and
attractive home is located at No. 511 South Sixth street.
Mr. Stone has been married twice,
his first wife being Sarah Wheeler, by whom he had three children: May, Edward and Bertha. His second wife was formerly Carrie E.
Downer, and they have one daughter, Leonore. In the interests of the reading public
Mr. Stone has been active in his work as library trustee, as chairman of
the room committee and as president of the trustees. He is prominent in Grand Army circles, being
past commander of John A. Dix Post No. 42, G.A.R.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1321-1322. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Donna Toole.