The following biographical
information was transcribed by RaNae Vaughn from Fan Alexander Cochran’s
History of Old Tishomingo County, Mississippi Territory. The book was
published in 1869 by Barnhart Publishing Company, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
During the interval between the
organization of old Tishomingo County in 1836 and its final dissolution in
1870, a large number of men to afterwards gain distinction and fame, both
local and national, made their political debut within the confines of that
justly famous County; and among the number no one succeeded in so indelibly
impressing his personality upon the people as did John Marshall Stone. His
career from steamboat clerk to Governor but exemplifies the truthfulness of
the old adage, "Nature creates merit, Fortune brings it into play." He devoted
the best years of his life to the public service, and his reward was a "well
done thou good and faithful servant." Succeeding to the Governorship at a time
when the State was engulfed in the throes of reconstruction, his masterly mind
and mature judgment greatly aided in bringing order out of chaos and restoring
to Mississippi a government of, by, and for the white citizenry. Although a
Tennessean by birth, Mr. Stone removed to Mississippi when a young man, and
for 45 years labored zealously for the advancement of the interest of the
State of his adoption and at the time of his death was loved, honored, and
respected by every true Mississippian.
John Marshall Stone was born in Gibson
County, Tennessee, on the 30th day of April 1830. The death of his
father in 1841 made it necessary for him to assist in the support of the
family, and the next 14 years was a period of unceasing toil. His spare
moments were devoted to study, and when he reached his majority he had
acquired a good education and was fitted to begin the remarkable career which
followed. He secured a position as clerk on a Tennessee River steamboat
playing between Eastport and points on the Ohio River, continuing thus until
1855 when he settled in Eastport and for two years clerked in a mercantile
establishment. After the completion of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, a
large portion of the population of Eastport moved to Iuka, a new town located
on the railroad, and in the fall of 1857, Mr. Stone followed and was shortly
thereafter appointed depot and express agent at that place, which position he
held until 1878. As railroad agent, he came in contact with a large portion of
the people of the County, and his accommodating disposition and courteous
treatment soon won for him the confidence and esteem of the entire population.
At the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Stone organized a company of which
he was elected Captain and which was mustered into the service of the
Confederate States as Company K, Second Mississippi Regiment. Captain Stone
commanded his company in the first Manassas battle, and until the 16th
of April 1862, when he was elected Colonel of the Regiment, participating in
all the engagements of the Army of Virginia. He was wounded several times, but
not seriously. As Senior Colonel, he commanded Davis’ Brigade at various
times, notably in the Battle of the Wilderness, in which he acquitted himself
with distinguishing ability, receiving the most flattering praise from his
superior officers. Near the close of the war, Colonel Stone came to
Mississippi on furlough, and while returning to his command in Virginia, he
was captured at Salisbury, North Carolina, by General Steadman, and was sent
to Johnson’s Island, where he was kept a prisoner until July 25, 1865. When
finally released, Colonel Stone returned to Iuka and resumed the duties of
railroad agent. He was elected State Senator in 1869 and re-elected in 1873,
and his work as a member of that body is part of the history of the State. On
the first Tuesday in January 1876, he was chosen as Speaker Pro Tem of the
Senate, and on the 29th day of March succeeded Ames as Governor of
Mississippi. He was elected to succeed himself in 1877 and was defeated for
the gubernatorial nomination in the convention of 1881 by Robert Lowry, by
whom he was appointed railroad commissioner in 1884. He was again elected
Governor in 1889 and served six years. At the expiration of this term, he
organized the Merchants’ Bank of Jackson, of which he was elected President,
and continued in this position for three years, when he resigned and was
chosen President of the A. & M. College at Starkville, which place he held
until his death on March 26, 1890. Colonel Stone also served the County of
Tishomingo as Treasurer after the war. He married Miss Mary Coman of
Tishomingo County in 1872.
To say aught in praise of the public
life of Colonel Stone is unnecessary. His life was an open book which was
closely read by every Mississippian. While leading the brave men of his
regiment against the overwhelming forces of an invading army; on the floor of
the State Senate contending for the rights of the white people, and for 16
years at the head of the State government, he ever displayed those qualities
of personal courage, advanced statesmanship and executive ability, with which
finite man is seldom endowed, and which made his name a synonym for all that
was brave, pure, and honest in public and private life. Alive, Colonel Stone
was the idol of the people; dead, his name is held in fond and loving
remembrance, and he is referred to as a man who was just to his fellowman, his
State, and his Creator. Mrs. J. M. Stone is a resident of Iuka, and in her
advancing years is surrounded by a host of friends who love her for her many
noble traits and womanly virtues, and also because she is the widow of John
Marshall Stone.
