[Hazlewoods.FTW]

William Henry Stokes was in the saddlery business for many years and was a very prosperous business man. The Texas land (of which some descendants still retain mineral rights) was given to him in exchange for equipment he furnished to the Union Army while in the saddlery business in Mound City, Ill., before going to Louisville, KY to live. The rate was .05 cents per acre and much of it was sold by heirs long ago for .25 cents per acre and they thought they were getting a good price. Some of that land which was sold has many large oil producers on it.

In the 1873 Louisville City Directory, W.H. Stokes and Co. are listed. The firm was designated as a saddlery and saddlery hardware located at 178 Main Street, near 5th Street. In the firm were J.P. Marshall, W.H. Stokes, & Arthur H. Stokes. The home of W.H. Stokes was on Chestnut Street southeast corner of 4th Street.

October 17, 1876 Louisville, KY Fire Strikes City...
$600,000 BLAZE IN LOUISVILLE
The most disastrous fire which has visited Louisville in many years occurred at one o'clock this morning. The flames were first discovered in HECHT & HARRIS' clothing house, and thence communicated to DAVIS & HADEN'S liquor store, CARSON & DENIEL'S grocery, and A. LEVY'S clothing house...... The loss will excheed $600,000, with very heavy insurance...... The losses and insurance of this morning's fire are as follows:.... W. H. STOKES' estate, NOYES ALEXANDER hotel building, loss $60,000, insurance $20,000.... A. LEVY, clothing $100,000, insurance $30,000....


The following story was written in the book 'Louisville Past and Present: ITS INDUSTRIAL HISTORY, As exhibited in the Life-labors of its Leading Men.', By M. JOBLIN & CO., LOUISVILLE: Printed by John P. Morton and Company, No. 156 West Main St., 1875.

On pages 176 and 177, it is written:

WILLIAM H. STOKES

In this world of failures, panics, and bankruptcy it is a relief to peruse the history of one who has been superior to circumstances, and by well-directed effort secured of earthly goods all that heart could wish. Were such instances wanting, men would scarcely have ambition enough to supply their needs, much less engage in the gigantic and daring projects that mark the age of progress. It is therefore with no little pleasure that we present to our readers the career of William H. Stokes, one of the most successful men of business who have made this the city of their adoption.
He was the third son of Christiana and John Stokes, formerly of New York City, where he was born June 7, 1809. In 1817 his father moved with his family to Cincinnati, Ohio, which had already begun to put on the airs of a city. Here William attended school until he had acquired the rudiments of an education; but while still a lad obtained a situation in a book-store, and concluded that he would graduate in the university at large. And we may here remark that an extensive and intimate acquaintance with the successful men of this and other large cities confirms us in the belief that the most practical of men - those able to hold their own against vast odds, those whose fortitude has enabled them to overcome every obstacle to success - are to a great extent elected from those who have educated themselves among the people. In fact it would seem that the descipline which necessity imposed upon some early in life has proved to be the foundation of their fortune. On the other hand, those who have enjoyed unlimited scholastic privileges, besides what is termed "a start in life," often make but a poor effort in the works of competition; and the inevitable result is -- failure.
Remaining in the book-store about two years, William was then apprenticed to the firm of Enyart & Cameron to learn the saddlery business. This was in 1824. On the expiration of his apprenticeship in 1827 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he wrought at his trade as a journeyman till the fall of 1829, and then proceeded to Natchez, Mississippi. Remaining at that point till the early part of 1831, he then came to this city and formed a partnership with his brother Edward, who followed the same business. Establishing themselves on Main Street near Fifth, under the firm-name of E. & W. H. Stokes, they both applied themselves so thoroughly, turned out such excellent work, and were so scrupulously honest in their transactions, that it was but a short time before they did the largest trade of the kind in the city. In 1844 he purchased the interest of his brother Edward, and from that time forward he carried on the business alone until he admitted his son-in-law, J. P. Marshall, to an interest. Later in life his sons, A. H. (Arthur Henry) and A. W. (Albert William) Stokes, also became partners.
Until his death, which occurred on the 9th of February, 1874, he was an active member of the firm, and was always ready to forward its interest by his presence and counsel. By his energy in securing new fields for trade in the great Southwest and West, and the excellent judgement he possessed of men and their motives, he built up a very large and lucrative custom. For forty years he prospered in the same industry and in the same locality; and, having every confidence in the future greatness and prosperity of Louisville, he made it a point to invest in real estate as fast as his means would premit. In this way he not only witnessed the populous city emerge from the frontier town, but grew up with it; so that almost imperceptibly he became one of the wealthiest of our citizens. In addition to the extensive landed interest in the city and its suburbs, his estate comprised something over one hundred thousand acres of land in Texas, which is becoming immensely valuable.
While it would appear that this gentleman was the embodiment of almost every element of success, it might be seen on a close examination that his great secret consisted of firmness of purpose, supported by common-sense, unceasing effort, and strict economy; and while we admit that some men of business are as unstable as water, as indolent as the sloth, as prodigal as a sailor, and attribute their failures to "bad luck," yet by compelling their intellect to do what they are not disposed to do from intuition they may overcome these constitutional defects and evolve a measurable success from their life-labor. Without thorough and constant discipline Mr. Stokes could never have become the man of consummate business ability that he was, no matter how bountifully nature had dealt with him; and hence we wish to impress this fact as the lesson of the hour, that while all can not become the possessors of immense fortunes as he did, a competency is within the reach of all, with few exceptions.
Personally Mr. Stokes was scrupulously correct in all his operations. He was a careful financier, and one who was determined to pay all the claims against him; and in order to do this he was strict to collect his own dues. Few or no incongruities, however, were found in his character; one quality harmonized with another. He united kindness with justice, faith with devotion, and hope with reason; and in all the relations of life he will long be remembered as a man of exemplary character.
Mr. Stokes was married to a Miss Ward, of Cincinnati, June 27, 1833. The fruit of this marriage was eight children, of whom five are now living -- three daughters and two sons. The sons, together with Mr. Marshall, now continue the business.