Rev. William Stanley, 89 years of age, father of Sen. A. O. Stanley, died last Thursday afternoon at his home in Frankfort. While he had not felt well for sometime, due to his advanced age, there seemed no cause for apprehension, and the end was unlooked for. Rev. Stanley was for some years pastor of the Christian church in Harrodsburg, and the family have many warm friends here. The funeral and burial were at Frankfort. He was a native of Nelson county and had retired from the active ministry several years ago. He and his wife had planned to celebrate the 55th anniversary of their marriage on April 24. Besides his wife he leaves three children, Sen. Stanley, of Washington, D. C.; Mrs. T. S. Minnick, of Henderson; Mrs. J. S. Welch, of Washington State, and a brother, Mr. J. A. Stanley, of Shelbyville.
The Rev. Stanley had led an eventful life. He helped organize a company in the Confederate army, but refused a commission and enlisted as a private. In a short time, however, he was commissioned lieutenant and upon the death of the company commander in battle he was raised to the rank of captain.
He afterward served on the staff of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson. He attracted attention with a successful defense of a man courtmartialed for striking a superior officer and the Judge Advocate General of the Confederate army read the defense and summoned Captain Stanley to his staff.
Just before the close of the Civil War Captain Stanley went on a dangerous mission rounding up deserters in the wilds of Florida. He returned to headquarters to make his report the day Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered, so the report was never filed.
He entered the practice of law at Newport when he was 21 years old and served as County Attorney. He was educated at Hanover College, which he attended after teaching school and was ordained a minister of the Christian Church in 1861.
His first charge was Grassy Spring, Woodford county. He afterward held pastorates at Versailles, Harrodsburg, Cynthiana, Hopkinsville, Nicholasville, Danville, Flemingsburg, East Aurora, N. Y.; Glasgow, Campbellsville and Burksville.

(Courtesy of Harrodsburg Herald, Harrodsburg, Mercer Co, Ky, Fri Apr 15, 1921)

Contributor: Yvonne~~~ (46818183)

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WM. STANLEY, Coleman, Texas

Born in Kentucky 1832; educated Hanover College, Indiana; graduated Louisville Law University 1854. Practiced law ten years. City Atty. Newport, Ky., and Leavenworth, Kan. Four years Confederate Army as Captain 6th Ky., and Assistant Judge Advocate General, staffs of Generals Johnston and Hood. Preaching since 1870, principally Versailles, Harrodsburg, Cynthiana, Hopkinsville, Danville and Glasgow, Ky.

Brown, John Thomas. Churches of Christ: A Historical, Biographical, and Pictoral History of Churches of Christ. Louisville, Kentucky: John P. Morton and Company. 1904. Page 618.

Spouse: Amanda Rodes Owsley (1838-1922), married April 24th, 1866, at Shelby County, Kentucky – five daughters (Josephine, Louise, Sue, Tee, Mary) and three sons (Augustus, George, Thomas)

Father: Joseph Rush Stanley (1806-1866)

Mother: Mildred Stone Wells (1811-1898)

Occupation: minister/preacher for the Christian Church.

- contributed by member# 48104028