My friends - Today we are returning to our series taken from the "History of Kentucky", published in 1922 by the American Historical Society. Our subject today is Dr. William Speer Stone, who practiced medicine in Marshall County, but was heavily connected to Calloway County through his first wife, who was a Risenhoover, and through his parents, who resided in Calloway. Tomorrow, we will look at some new web sites for research. -B +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WILLIAM SPEER STONE, MD Marshall County "In the midst of these epoch-making times, the recognition of the work of the medical profession has come to a fresh and even thrilling distinction. Through its skill and knowledge that wonderful machine, the human body, is not only rehabilitated, but sometimes reconstructed. Medical science is elastic, its boundaries are limitless, but it is at all times held firmly in the grasp of the intelligent men who uncover its mysteries. Not only, however, is the physician called upon for material assistance, but the ideal medical man irradiates the sick chamber with the light of his cheerful presence, lifting his patient out of the slough of despondency into the higher plane of sane thought. No matter how many patients a physician may have upon his hands, he is expected to give to each one a full measure of his individual thought and careful consideration, and the conscientious man never gets away from his work. Other men can throw off the burdens of their everyday cares, but the medical man has them with him at all times, as he does their calls upon him, so that there is little wonder that many of the skilled physicians sink under the burden; the marvel is that so many remain to further aid humanity. One of these dependable medical men of Marshall County is Dr. William Speer Stone of Birmingham. Doctor Stone was born near Murray, Calloway County, Kentucky, February 22, 1862. The Stone family originated in England from whence immigration was made to the American Colonies, and settlement effected in New York. The great-grandfather of Doctor Stone was William Stone, an eminent lawyer of Tennessee, who moved to Calloway County after he had retired from his practice, and died there at an advanced age. His son, William Hardaman Stone, the grandfather of Doctor Stone, was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee, in 1799 and died near Murray, Calloway County, in 1879, having moved to Kentucky prior to the outbreak of the war between the North and the South, and there developed large farming interests, although while in Tennessee he was connected with the operation of a furnace in the rolling mills. He was married to a Miss Russell, a native of England, and she died in Montgomery County, Tennessee. One of the children of William H. Stone and his wife was John William Stone, father of Doctor Stone, and he was born in Montgomery County. Tennessee, in 1829 and died in Calloway County, Kentucky, in the vicinity of Murray in 1891 from traumatic tetanus. He was reared in his native county, but was married in Wayne County, Tennessee, and lived there until he came to Calloway County a short time prior to the outbreak of the war of the 60's, in which he enlisted from Calloway County, under General Bragg of the Confederate army. Later he was transferred to General Forrest's cavalry, and participated in the in engagements at Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Corinth and other important battles, remaining in the service until the termination of the war. Returning home, he continued to reside on his farm, but followed his occupation as a carpenter and builder. He possessed much inventive genius and invented the first plug tobacco machine produced for plug tobacco, and this he patented in 1870.Mr. Stone was a man of the highest character, and lived up to the finest of Christian manhood. Early joining the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he held to its creed in the strictest manner, and was the main pillar of the local congregation. Zealous a Mason and Odd Fellow, he exemplified in his life the best ideals of these fraternities, and he was equally conscientious in his support of the principles of the democratic party. A stern, upright man, he, however, asked not nearly as much of others as he demanded of himself, and his influence in his community was emphatically of a constructive nature. John William Stone was married to Charlotte M. Speer, who was born in Wayne County, Tennessee in 1832, and died at Birmingham, Kentucky, in 1897 of a complication of diseases. She was a daughter of Robert Speer, native of North Carolina, who was of the pioneer farmers of Wayne County, Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Stone became the parents of the following children: J. F., who is a physician and surgeon, lives at Lafayette, Christian County, Kentucky; Martha Susann who married J. L. Wells, a tobacconist of Martin, Tennessee; and Doctor Stone, who is the youngest living. Doctor Stone attended the rural schools of Calloway County, and studied medicine under his brother until he was prepared to enter the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and was graduated from its medical department in 1888 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine Since then he has attended a number of clinics at his alma mater. After receiving his degree Doctor Stone began the practice of his profession at Fairdealing, Marshall County, Kentucky, and remained there from 1888 until 1891, when he moved to Birmingham and was the pioneer of his profession in this community. Since then he has been engaged in general medical and surgical practice and has earned and holds the full confidence of his fellow citizens. For fifteen years he was president of the Marshall County Board of Health, and in that capacity rendered this region a valuable service. In politics he is a democrat. Doctor Stone is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he belongs to T. L. Jefferson Lodge No. 622, A. F. & A. M. of Birmingham, of which he is past master, and which he has served as secretary for six years. Professionally he maintains membership in the Marshall County Medical Society, the Kentucky Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Southwest Kentucky Medical Association, and the Southern Medical Society. He belongs to the Alumni Association of the Louisville University. Doctor Stone's offices are on Washington Street. In May, 1888, Doctor Stone was married first to Miss Nannie E. Risenhoover at Murray, Calloway County, Kentucky. She w a daughter of Rev. B. B. and Susan (Beasley) Risenhoover, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Risenhoover was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mrs. Stone died at Birmingham, Kentucky, in 1899, of pneumonia. There were no children. On January 23, 1919, Doctor Stone was married second to Miss Zora P. Smith, a daughter of Frank M. and Martha (Finch) Smith, residents of Eddyville, Kentucky, where Mr. Smith is serving as a guard at the penitentiary, but they regard Birmingham as their permanent home, and own a residence here. During the late war Doctor Stone was very active in local war work, subscribing liberally to all of the drives and doing all in his power to assist the administration in carrying out its policies. He is a man of broad mind and tender sympathies, and his friends are legion. Having lived in this locality for so many years he understands its people thoroughly, and takes a deep pride in them and what they have accomplished. Always realizing the necessity for better sanitation, both as health official and private individual, he has worked to secure needed improvements, and has more than once averted the spread of an epidemic by his prompt and vigorous action. Such men as he are an honor to their learned profession and a valuable asset to their localities. -History of Kentucky W.E.Connelley & E.M.Coulter Editor: Charles Kerr Chicago: American Historical Society, 1922 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am looking for information or a source for information on the history of Humility, KY. Humility was the name of what is now New Concord, KY. Thanks in advance. Slainte Va! (Health to you) B. J. McCuiston PO Box 2193 Gilroy, Ca 95021-2193