University of Virginia Library

EDWARD L. STONE

Edward L. Stone, the subject of this sketch, was
born at Liberty (now Bedford City), Virginia, September
15th, 1864, and is a son of John H. and Mary
(Witt) Stone.

Mr. Stone received his early education in the public
schools in Liberty, and at the age of twelve entered
the employ of the "Bedford Sentinel," a weekly newspaper
published at that time at Liberty.

After several years' experience in this work, he
moved to Buchanan, Virginia, where he was employed
by J. William Boyd, who published a weekly newspaper
in that town.

Later, he went to Lynchburg, Virginia, to accept a
position as a compositor in the office of the "Lynchburg
News," but after serving for a few months in the
newspaper office, he became connected with the job
office of J. P. Bell Company, of Lynchburg.

In 1883, when the Bell Printing and Manufacturing
Company was organized, Mr. Stone was sent to
Roanoke as compositor, and upon the death of Samuel
G. Fields, the first manager of the Company, Mr.
Stone succeeded to that position, and shortly afterwards
purchased an interest in the business.

This interest was retained until 1891, when he and
some of his present associates in business purchased
the entire holdings of the Company, and reorganized
it as The Stone Printing and Manufacturing Company.

The original capitalization of the Company was
$5,000, which was increased in 1892 to $50,000, and
again to $100,000 in 1902.

The business of the Company continued to increase
to such an extent that a still further increase in its
capital stock was found necessary, and in 1910 it
was increased to the sum of $350,000, which is the
present capitalization.

During the long and successful career of The Stone
Printing and Manufacturing Company, Edward L.
Stone has been closely identified with its management,
and to his progressive business policies, constancy of
purpose, and untiring energy are due in large measure
the growth of the plant and the wide expansion
of its business.

He has shown ability of a high order in his management
of the Company's affairs, and has displayed
foresight and precision of judgment in building and
equipping a plant, the product of which is sold throughout
the entire South, as well as to points North, and
as far West as the Pacific Coast.

Besides his large interest in the business of The Stone
Printing and Manufacturing Company, Mr. Stone
is identified with other manufacturing enterprises, and
with mining companies, financial institutions, and
investment companies of various kinds.

He is President of The Stone Printing and Manufacturing
Company, President of the Borderland Coal
Company, Vice President of the National Exchange
Bank, and also a Director of the Virginia Bridge and
Iron Company, the Roanoke Times Company, the
Southwest Virginia Trust Company, and several other
well known corporations.

He is a member of the Executive Committee of the
United Typothetæ of America, and of the Printers'
International Cost Commission, besides serving as
Committeeman for several other national bodies, and
as a Director of the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Stone has participated actively in work for the
upbuilding of Roanoke and the expansion of the City's
manufacturing and commercial interests, and has taken
a prominent part in plans to secure suitable public
buildings, parks, and play-grounds, and for general civic
betterment.

To this work of a public nature, he has been ever
ready to devote both his means and time, and has contributed
to the success of undertakings for the general
development of the city and for its moral, educational,
and material advancement.

He is a member of the Shenandoah Club and the
Country Club of this city, of the Piedmont Club of
Lynchburg, of the Westmoreland Club of Richmond,
and the Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia.

On April 10th, 1890, he married Miss Minnie Tinsley
Fishburn, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A.
Fishburn, of Roanoke. He has one daughter, Mary K.

He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church
of this city.