John Lemuel Stone

One of the first three graduates of Cornell's College of Agriculture, a pioneering extension teacher, and a professor of farm practice, John Lemuel Stone helped shape the college in the early twentieth century His name can be included with those of Roberts, Bailey, Caldwell, and others as one of the great builders of the college.

Stone was born in 1852 in Waverly, Pennsylvania, where he grew up on his family's farm. He was one of three agriculture students enrolled at Cornell when Isaac P Roberts arrived to serve as dean in 1874. After graduating that same year, Stone returned home and spent the next twenty-three years farming. During this time he developed innovative methods of animal feeding and was active in agricultural, civic, and educational affairs in his community.

In 1897 Stone was asked to return to Cornell. He first served primarily as a teacher in the college's fledgling extension program, where one of his interests was the cultural problems of farm crops. His publications on this topic were the first in the United States. He was actively involved in expanding the college's extension efforts and also taught many winter short courses for farmers.

Stone was appointed assistant professor in 1903. Four years later, in recognition of his unparalleled knowledge of the university's agricultural properties, he was appointed professor of farm practice and assumed management of the university farm. Throughout his career, his sound knowledge of farming and keen appreciation of scientific values contributed immeasurably to the education of both his students and the many farmers throughout the state who sought his expertise.

John Stone oversees students constructing foundations around 1900.

Professor Stone retired as professor emeritus in 1919. In September, 1933, six months after his death, his distinguished service to the college was recognized through the dedication of Stone Hall. We are pleased to remember him once again with the dedication of the John Lemuel Stone Computer Center in Mann Library.

See documents, images and more details of the history of the Stone Computer Center at The History of Public Computing in Mann Library, 1984 – 2004.