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 (see list below) 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.
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.
John Lemuel Stone's Publications
Title: Concerning the Farm Lands Used by the New York State College of Agriculture
Published: Ithaca, N. Y., New York State College of Agriculture, 1926
Location: Library Annex
Call Number: S541.N7 S8
Title: The Development of the Land and the College Farms
In: Cornell countryman. Ithaca, N. Y. v. 12, no. 3 (1914)
Location: Mann Library Storage
Call Number: S1 .C81C v.12 no.3
Title: A Simple System of Common Farm Accounting
In: Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, vol. 4, edited by Liberty Hyde Bailey, New York: Macmillan, 1909
Title: Farm Management
Published: Albany, 1908
Location: Library Annex
Call Number: S561 .S87
