He was one of three children of parents Mary Ellen McLemore and William Langford Stone.
The Stone family moved to Silver Creek Township, Mills County, Iowa, after his mother's death in February 1856, following his grandfather, Spencer Stone, who had acquired land in the township three years previously.
He was part-owner of the Glenwood Opinion alongside P. T. Ballard, and also edited the publication for two years, starting at the age of 22.
Concurrently with his second stint as a state representative, Stone served as a member of the Republican National Committee.
Stone again held statewide office between 1889 and 1895, serving as Attorney General of Iowa.