William A. Stone
Encyclopedia
William Alexis Stone was the 22nd Governor of Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1903.
. In 1864, Stone enlisted in the Union Army as a private during the American Civil War
, and became a second lieutenant in 1865. He continued his military service after the war in the Pennsylvania National Guard
. He attended Mansfield State Normal School and taught while studying law.
. He held that post until 1886 when he violated President Chester A. Arthur
's edict for political office-holders not to campaign for political candidates. Stone campaigned for James A. Beaver
, and his removal only increased his popularity.
before running for governor in 1898. During his term in office, Pennsylvania's state debt was eliminated, and a new capitol building was commissioned. After serving as governor, Stone joined his son in private law practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, where he died at age 73.
University Park
campus is named for Stone.
Early life
Stone was born in Wellsboro, PennsylvaniaWellsboro, Pennsylvania
Wellsboro is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, 52 miles northwest of Williamsport. Early in the twentieth century, Wellsboro was the shipping point and trade center for a large area...
. In 1864, Stone enlisted in the Union Army as a private during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and became a second lieutenant in 1865. He continued his military service after the war in the Pennsylvania National Guard
Pennsylvania National Guard
The Pennsylvania National Guard is composed of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. It is one of the largest National Guards in the nation. It has the largest Army National Guard of all the states and the fourth largest Air National Guard. These forces are...
. He attended Mansfield State Normal School and taught while studying law.
Appointments
In 1872, he was appointed as a clerk for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and was later appointed district attorney for western Pennsylvania by President Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
. He held that post until 1886 when he violated President Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
's edict for political office-holders not to campaign for political candidates. Stone campaigned for James A. Beaver
James A. Beaver
James Addams Beaver was an American politician who served as the 20th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1891...
, and his removal only increased his popularity.
Congress and Pennsylvania Governorship
He served four terms in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
before running for governor in 1898. During his term in office, Pennsylvania's state debt was eliminated, and a new capitol building was commissioned. After serving as governor, Stone joined his son in private law practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, where he died at age 73.
In Memoriam
Stone Hall, a residence hall on Penn State'sPennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
University Park
University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University....
campus is named for Stone.