The Birthday of Eternity

George Nelson Stone, died March 8, 1901

Captain George Nelson Stone during Civil War

Captain Stone's death at the age of 61 occurred at his palatial mansion in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 8, 1901, from septicaemia following appendicitis.

George Stone House, Cincinnati, Ohio

Just one week before, at five P. M., he called into his office his assistant manager and his secretary, and said: 'I am going to California to-morrow. This is the first vacation I have taken since I came to the telephone. I want you to wire me once a week if everything is right here and at home.You run the old machine and don't let me know anything. I shall be gone thirty days. I have got my tickets arranged and I am going to get away quickly because I am afraid if the doctors know that I am going they'll stop me.' 

Then he had a short gasping spell and said: 'I have a terrible pain right in there,' pointing to the right side of his abdomen. At the suggestion of a friend he sent down stairs and secured a drink of brandy.

That he had been in agony for an hour was very plain, because the perspiration was pouring down his neck and had taken all the starch out of his turn-down collar. He bade everybody good-by as he put on his overcoat, and laughingly excused himself to some of the lady operators as he bumped into them when leaving the elevator. Walking up the street with a number of friends, he said: 'I am a little worried about my stomach, but I never felt so happy and satisfied as I do to-night on leaving for a good, long rest. I appointed Perin Langdon my private secretary, and if you want any influence with me you'll have to get it through him.' 


His remains were interred in Spring Grove Cemetery, and the obsequies, which were carried out in strict accord with his oft expressed wich: 'Bury me as plainly as you can,' were conducted by the Rev. George Thayer, a Uniterian clergyman.

Stone Gravesite

George Stone Headstone

He is buried next to his widow, Martha Stone, who was a survivor of the Titanic disaster in 1912.

Martha Stone