William Alexis Stone (18 April 1846 - 1 March 1820) was governor of Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1903. In 1864, Stone enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War and continued his military service after the war in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He attended Mansfield State Normal School and taught while studying law. In 1872, he was appointed as a clerk for the state House of Representative and was later appointed district attorney for western Pennsylvania by President Rutherford B. Hayes. He held that post until 1886 when he violated President Chester Arthur's for political office-holders not to campaign for political candidates; Stone campaigned for James Beaver, and his removal only increased his popularity. He served four terms in the United States House of Representatives before running for governor in 1898. During his term in office, Pennsylvania's state debt was eliminated, and a new capitol building was commissioned. After serving as governor, Stone joined his son in private law practice.