Profiles in PA Political History

March 2, 2010 Edition

William Alexis Stone, Republican, Governor 1899-1903

 William Alexis Stone, the 22^nd Governor of Pennsylvania, was born in 1846 in Tioga County.  Stone’s father was a farmer, and as a boy, Stone was too poor to attend school. He fought in the Civil War, and reached the rank of Lt. Colonel. After the war, he earned a law degree and set up practice in Pittsburgh.   Before becoming Governor in 1899, he served 8 years in Congress. 

 Though he was heavily connected to the notorious Matthew Quay (to be profiled next week), and received criticism when he appointed Quay to the Senate, he had a productive term as Governor.  He dissolved a $3 million state debt, and began construction on the new State Capitol Building, serving as President of the State  Capitol Building  Commission until the building’s completion in 1906. 

 After his term, he returned to private law practice and served as prothonotary of the Supreme and Superior Courts of PA.  He is buried in Wellsboro.

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