My Genealogy Hound

Eli N. Stone, mayor of the city of Milan, Tenn., was born in Madison County September 20, 1847, son of Clark L. and Margaret (Anderson) Stone, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Alabama. The father died in Carroll County when Eli N. was but three years of age, consequently but little can be ascertained of his early history. Our subject spent his early days on a farm with his mother, but secured a rather limited early education. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, of Chalmer’s battalion of Mississippi cavalry, but was soon after transferred to Company C, Seventh Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, and served as a private in Gen. Forrest’s cavalry until the surrender. He then attended school one year at West Tennessee College, and was then engaged in clerking in a mercantile establishment for two years. From 1871 until 1883 he followed merchandising for himself and then engaged in a similar business in Texas, which proved successful. He returned to Milan and was manager for W. B. Williams until James Owens became proprietor, and has remained in the latter’s employ up to the present time. In 1870 he married Miss Hattie Lowry, of Mississippi, a sister of the present governor of that State. She died in 1872, leaving two children: Hattie L. (deceased) and Margie L. In 1873 he married his present wife, who was Miss Elizabeth P. Priest, a native of Carroll County, Tenn. They have five children: Lowry, Alexander, Ruth, Mina and Elizabeth. Mr. Stone is a Democrat, and in December, 1885, was elected to the office of mayor, which he has very efficiently filled to the present time. He has been a member of the board of mayor and alderman for a number of years, and was for several years the efficient city treasurer of Milan. He is Chancellor Commander of the local lodge of K. of P., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Stone is a step-son of John G. Shepherd, of this city. His mother died in 1871.