william earl dodge stokes
Owner of the famed Patchen Wilkes Farm in Kentucky (named after the farm's head stallion), W. E. D. Stokes belonged to a family of great wealth, extended to several generations. Patchen Wilkes, a son of the great George Wilkes, sired Joe Patchen, the "iron horse," and the most popular harness horse of his day. In the late 1890s Patchen Wilkes was joined by another son of George Wilkes, Onward, 2:25 1/4. By this time the Patchen Wilkes Farm had become one of the principal "speed nurseries" in the Blue Grass State. Peter the Great was added to the roster in 1903 and sired Peter Volo, who later became the farm's premier stallion. Stokes passed away in New York City on May 18, 1926 at age 73.
Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1994 book, The Immortals