Thomas J. STONEKING
B: 2 Feb 1836/46 - D: 26 Jan 1915

"The Ole Rascal"

Thomas was born according to his own recollection 2 Feb 1836 or 1846.  In some papers in his pension file he states, "he knows his birthday is 2 Feb, but unsure of the year, but thinks it is 1836 as he was a registered voter in the election of 1860".  On some of his later forms from the Soldiers & Sailors Home in Quincy, IL it lists his age as 10 years younger and that would fit with the 1850 census age give for him as 4 years old.

His parents the best we can figure out are Sarah (DRISKILL) STONEKING and George W. STONEKING.  In the 1850 census his mother Sarah (30), him (4), and brother David (6) and sister Martha (3); living with Sarah's parents John and Malinda DRISKILL in McDonough Co., Illinois.  George W.'s parents where either Elijah STONEKING and one of his three wives ?, Sarah COX, or Martha Jane ?; or Samuel STONEKING and Elizabeth STONEKING according to another source.

In 1865 he enlisted in the Union army on the 6th day of April at Mt. Sterling, Illinois and stated his residence as Lamoine, Illinois. He was in Company C 119th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His age at time of enlistment was 19 years old, and height was 5' 8 3/4" hair, brown; eyes, blue; complexion, light; occupation farmer and listed as a Native Illinoian.  He was mustered out 26 Aug. 1865 at Mobile, Alabama.

Thomas first was married to Sarah Rebecca LEWIS on 28 Apr 1868 in Chariton, Lucas Co., Iowa (again according to documents in his pension file), although later in the year he would have been living in Scotland Co., Missouri as that is where his son Moses was born.  In the year 1877 he and Sarah were in Birmingham, Schuyler Co., Illinois, when Luella Esteline (my g-grandmother was born on 3 Sep 1877). Sarah died 6 days after on 9 Sep 1877.

On Aug. 1887 He married Martha JONES in Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri she died in 1892.

On Apr 1893 he marries either a Susanna "Anna" JONES, Martha's sister or a Louisa Anna IAISER, whom had been married before to a Timothy P. JONES on 21 Jun 1877 in Adair Co. Missouri.  I'm starting to believe since them marriage licenses for this marriage is listed a Anna JONES that Louisa went by her middle name and Thomas didn't marry Martha's sister (at least at this point in time).

In 1900 Census we find Thomas living in Adair Co., Missouri still, and also in the 1910 Census as well.  In the 1910 census he is living with Moses and Amanda Ellen (RAY) STONEKING his son and daughter in-law.

According to his grand-daughter Gertie Alice Bachman Collins, Thomas was married six different times during his lifetime. If he did indeed marry Susanna JONES we have only one other name attribute to one of his wives that that is Mary/Mandy, still leaving us one wife short!

Other twist and quirks of unraveling Thomas's story is that Luella in the 1880 census is listed with Lewis and Laurana (FRISBIE) ROBINSON as a cousin.  I Lewis's obit in the "Macomb Journal" on 29 Jul. 1883 it lists Luella as an adopted daughter.  When Lewis dies, his wife is place in the poor house in Macomb and a Mr. & Mrs. Charles CREEL, living east of town take her in.  From here to birth of my Grandfather Robert Ernest COURTNEY in Elmer, MO 1898/9 all track of Luella is lost.

His children by some of the records in his pension files lists; Susan Viloa (STONEKING) MADIGAN-MANNIGAN; Moses STONEKING; Martha Jane "Mattie" (STONEKING) COURTNEY/ ROBERTS; and Luella Esteline (STONEKING) COURTNEY/MASON

Also the records of the S&S Home in Quincy state that Thomas is buried in Sunset Cemetery, Division 6; Row 5; Letter P. After spending an hour scouring the rows 4, 5, 6, and 7 and looking at every stone in both directions till the next division, his grave can't be found (at least not by me!)  The "Ole Rascal" has given me the slip one last time!  Well, he was finally found, by another of the STONEKING Cuzins' a few days later!!  Seems like the original records were wrong, and his was buried Division 2; Row 19; according to the records there at the Cemetery.

If anyone can tie into anyone mentioned above or can shed any light on the information above, all inquires are welcome.  We'd like to get Thomas's story as close to factual a possible, and we'd like to fill in as many gaps as possible.  We're more that willing to share additional information on this and related families.  Just contact: Jim Lowary at Jim@Lowary.org

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