The Stoner family is descended from five brothers hearing that surname, who left their native land, Germany, in the middle or fore-part of the eighteenth century, and emigrated to this country, locating in the vicinity of Union Bridge and Antietam, Md.

David Stoner, the grandfather of John P. Stoner, was a native of Frederick County, Md. He was a life long farmer, and as a business man was very successful. He was the owner of one of the farms afterwards possessed by John P. Stoner. In religion, he was for forty-four years an active member of the German Baptist Church, serving as an elder much of this time.

Daniel Stoner, son of David Stoner, was born in Johnsville district, Frederick County, in 1787, and lived to be ninety-three years of age. He was mustered into the service in the War of 1812, but was not called into action. He spent his active life in farming. In politics, he was an old-time Whig. Like his father, he was influential in the German Baptist Church. Mr. Stoner was married to Nancy Roop, daughter of John Roop. She was born in 1797, and died at the age of fifty-five years. 

John Roop was a well-to-do farmer of Westminster, Carroll County, Md. Daniel and Nancy Stoner were the parents of ten children: William, deceased, was a farmer, conducted a tannery, and later was engaged in business at Westminster, Md.; David, unmarried was commissioner of Carroll County for fourteen years and was very successful as an agriculturist; Abraham, deceased, was a wealthy farmer of Ohio and later of Missouri; Emanuel, deceased, was engaged in the nursery business at Westminster; Samuel, deceased. was a farmer in Carroll county: Daniel, a resident of Ohio; Jacob, lives at Union Bridge, Md.; John R.; Mary Ann, married Joseph Lerew, deceased, of Harrisburg, Pa.; and Lydia, the wife of Augustus Little, a farmer in Johnsville district, Frederick County.

John P. Stoner, son of Daniel and Nancy (Roop) Stoner, was a very ambitious student, made rapid progress in his school work, and was particularly proficient in mathematics. It was his intention to enter the legal profession, but his mother’s influence and other considerations led to his abandoning the idea. Instead, he devoted his energies to agriculture and investments, and was very successful. Soon after attaining his majority he located on a farm a mile and a-half from Thurmont, which he ever after made his home. On this home place there stands a substantial brick residence and two large barns, beside sheds and other farm buildings. From time to time he added to his original purchase, and at his death was probably the largest land owner in Frederick county.

He was the possessor of a number of fine farms; four lying in one body, his homestead, containing 800 acres: one of 176 acres in Emmitsburg district: one of 145 acres at Rocky Ridge; one of 175 acres near Union Bridge, in Carroll County, Md. and two mountain tracts. His farms were well stocked, and it was said he was the owner of the largest number of head of live stock in that section of the county.

Mr. Stoner was successful in the management of these various tracts, and was a hard worker all of his life, In his investments he was also very fortunate. He was one of the promoters and directors in the W. F. and G. Railroad Company. He was unassuming and modest in manner, and was very highly esteemed by all who knew him. As a citizen, he was public spirited, and he displayed much foresight in business dealings.

In politics, Mr. Stoner was a Democrat, that he was never induced to accept public office, though often urged to do so, persistently adhering to his frequently repeated resolution to live and die as a plain, loyal citizen. On November 28, 1876, Mr. Stoner was married to Martha R. Stansbury, daughter of Nicholas and Amelia (Phillips) Stansbury, and a grand-daughter of Abraham Stansbury. They were the parents of two sons: John T., a farmer, residing in Carroll County, Md., who married Blanch Stoner, but has no children; and William J., who married Gertrude Bouzer, daughter of Daniel and Eugenia (Harmon) Rouzer, of Thurmont.

Return to index on Emmitsburg names in William's History of Frederick County