Family Obituaries

Ezekial Josiah Stone

My Father's Obituary

By Lulu Stone Britt

Ezekial Josiah Stone was born at Halesboro, New York, Age 71 years 3 months and 10 days.

Mr. Stone spent the early part of his life in Russell, New York. He enlisted in the Grand Army in Battery H, 1st N. Y. Light Artillery United States Volunteers in 1861 and served until 1864 when he was wounded at Petersburg, Va. He returned home having given his right arm and almost his eyesight for his country.

He was married Nov. 18, 1865 to Amanda Barlow. To this union were born nine children; five daughters and four sons, all of whom have grown to maturity.

He has gone to join his wife who preceded him March 3, 1898, and his eldest son who passed away in 1904.

Mr. Stone came to Harvard in l872 and homesteaded three miles southwest of Harvard (Nebraska) where he and his wife suffered the hardships of early settlers. He lived on his farm until five years ago when he came to Harvard to live. He was stricken with paralysis in April 1907 and since has been in a helpless condition - a silent, patient sufferer. He was cared for in his own home by his two daughters, Mrs. W. L. Johnson and Miss Lulu Stone until last February when he went to Fairfield where he has since been cared for by his daughters Mrs. A. E. Kunselman and Mrs. R. A. Bayles. He died at the home of the latter.

He was a charter member of Richardson Post #60 Grand Army of the Republic and was ever faithful in his obligations; never lagging in his love of his comrades of the war and the great organization now rapidly giving way to the inroads of death.

E. J. Stone's mother was Sarah Stone, his father Ezra Stone. Amanda Stone's father was Oliver Barlow, her mother was Betty Loengin Barlow.

Amanda Barlow Stone was born in N. Y. May 15, 1846, and died March 3, 1898.

E. J. Stone and Amanda Barlow were married Nov. 18, 1865.   Their children were: Julius Francis Stone, Celia Viola Stone Bayles, LUELLA Betsy Stone Kunselman, Emery Eugene Stone, Emma Eugenia Stone Blakely (twins), Burdette Oliver Stone, Minerva Stone Johnson, Roland Elisha Stone and Lulu Harriett Stone Britt Julius, Celia, Betsy are buried in Harvard, Nebr.; Emma in Lemoore, Calif., Burdette in Denver, Colorado, Emery in Abilene, Kansas, Minerva in Billings, Montana, Roland in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

This is from the Clay County History Book — belonged to Celia Bayles.

  Gladys Kunselman Haynes (daughter of Aaron Kunselman and Luella Betsy Stone K. noted:

"I remember my mother telling of bands of Indians crossing this farm and how her mother (Amanda Barlow Stone) always rushed the children indoors for safety.

 

The Indians would pick up a loose bucket or whatever they could find available."

 

Contributed by:  Holly Yankovich