The Jones Families of Boone County, Iowa

Richard [ones numbered among the veterans i if the ( T il war. who al the time the Union was threatened by rebellion in the south went to the front in defense of the starry banner of the nation and the cause it represented. He is now an honored and worthy citizen of Boone, but is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Wayne county, that state. October [3, 1838, his parents being T. F. and Jane (Culbertson) Jones. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Richard Jones, who was born in Maryland in 1762, and had two brothers, Daniel and William, both of whom died in Pennsylvania. The family 1- of Welsh origin. At an early day the grandfather went to Pennsylvania, and from there removed to Wayne county, Ohio, in [828. In [852 he became a resident of Valparaiso, Indiana, and died in that state in 1855. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Forsythe, was also a native of Maryland. Their children were Thomas F., Richard W., Peter, David, Elizabeth, Malinda, Hannah. Polly and Sarah.

Thomas F. Jones, our subject's father. was born in Pennsylvania in 1802, and was married in Ohio about 1831 to Jane Culbertson, also a native of the Keystone state, born in Allegheny county in 1813, and a daughter of Alexander and Mary Culbertson, who were of Irish descent. By this union were born thirteen children: Robert (.' now deceased; George, who is living in Ston comity, Iowa; Mary Al..

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THOMAS L. JONES.

Since 1892 Thomas L. Jones has been identified with business interests in Boone and since 1896 has concentrated his efforts upon real-estate dealing. He has been agent for many property interests here and has negotiated many important realty transfers. In all that he does he is actuated by a spirit of enterprise that enables him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and work his way steadily upward to success.

Iowa claims Mr. Jones as a native son, his birth having occurred in Story county, November 18, 1866, his parents being Richard and Henrietta (Ross) Jones, who were married on the 20th of May, 1860. The father is a native of Wayne county, Indiana, while the mother's birth occurred in Porter county, that state. Richard Jones came to Iowa in 1855, settling in Johnson county, where he lived for a year, and then removed to Story county, where he carried on general farming, bringing his fields to a high state of cultivation and developing a splendid property. Year after year he raised good crops and in due time had acquired a handsome competence, which enabled him to put aside further business cares, so that he is now living retired. He has made his home in Boone county since 1892. He was a soldier of the Civil war, responding to the country's call for troops on the 29th of July, 1862, when he joined Company A of the Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, of which he was made second corporal. On the 17th of May, 1863, he was wounded in the battle of Black River Bridge, Mississippi. In June, 18(14, 'le was made first sergeant and with that rank served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out July 26, 1865, at Harrisburg, Texas. His was a creditable military record, covering three years of active service, in which he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, August 11, 1865, but he still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. To him and his wife were born four children: Thomas L.; Edward W., whose home is in Crookston, Minnesota; James F., who studied medicine and engaged in practice in Arizona to the time of his death on the 12th of March, 1909: and 'wilbur G., who is traveling auditor for the Rothschilds of Chicago.

Thomas L. Jones was reared in the usual manner of farm lads who spend their time and youth in the middle west. From the time of early spring planting he would assist in the work of the fields and was thus engaged until after crops were harvested in the autumn. The winter seasons were devoted to the acquirement of an education and in 1890 he took up the profession of school teaching, being then a young man of twenty-four years. He proved capable in imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and the schools under his control made substantial progress. The summer seasons were devoted to farm work. In 1892 he removed to Boone and in 1893 he established a music store, which he conducted successfully until 1896. He then turned his attention to the real-estate and loan business, handling property both for himself and others and making loans on farm lands. He has become widely and favorably known in this connection and he is thoroughly informed concerning realty values and knows exactly the property that is upon the market.

On the 27th of April, 1890, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Bertha A. Jones, a native of Indiana, and to them have been born three children; Bernice R., whose natal day was March 11, 1891; Ethel L., born May 29, 1892: and Edith L., born on the 30th of March, 1894. The family occupies an enviable position in the social circles of the city, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded all of the representatives of the Jones household. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church, and Mr. Jones also holds membership in the Royal Arcanum and the Woodmen of the World. His political support is given the democratic party and upon its ticket he has been elected to several offices. He served for four years as city assessor, has also been city clerk and for three years was a member of the city council, during which period he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive public movements and needed reforms and improvements. He has at all times been loyal to the best interests of the community, and his worth both as a man and citizen is widely recognized.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MERRITT B. JONES.

Merritt B. Jones is successfully engaged in drawing and the livery business and also deals to some extent in horses. He was born in Jackson township, Boone county, on a farm which is now owned by H. A. Cobb, on May 10, 1880, and is a son of Lewis and Louise (Sawyer) Jones. The father was born in Ohio, where he lived until seven years of age, when he was brought to Porter county, Indiana, where he attended the public schools. His early life was spent upon a farm in that state, and he subsequently married in Indiana, where he and his family remained until 1870, when they removed with their two children to Iowa. They located on a farm near Gilbert, Story county, where they remained for three years. At the end of that time they went on to a tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres in Jackson township, and there they resided for eight or ten years, the father bending his energies to agricultural development. He then bought a farm in Franklin township. Story county, just over the line from Jackson township, Boone county, and there he continued to reside until January 18, 1908, when he passed away. He was buried in Ontario cemetery in Boone county. The mother, who is a devout member of the Christian church, survives him and makes her home with her children. Mr. Jones did not belong to any particular church but was always eager to contribute to church work and the different organizations, being thoroughly in sympathy with their efforts. In their family were the following children: Leah, who married Dr. C. \V. Johnson of Des Moines; Bertha, who is now Mrs. T. L. Jones of Boone; Flavius S., of Story county, who farms on the home place; Merritt B., of this review; and Mabel, who died at the age of three.

Merritt B. Jones was educated in the country schools near his father's farm and those of Boone city. He rounded out his learning and prepared himself for business life by taking a course at the Capital City Business College, completing his studies there at the age of twenty-one. Until nineteen years of age he assisted his father on the home farm, but when he had reached his majority he went to the Dakotas, where he worked for farmers, later having charge of a real-estate office at Tower City, Cass county, North Dakota. After his marriage Mr. Jones established his home in Boone, accepting a position with the Boone Cereal Mill, with which firm he remained until its affairs were liquidated. He then joined the Boone police force under Mayor Goodykoontz, remaining for eleven months in a minor position, at the end of which time he was made city marshal under Mayor Forrow. At the following election Mr. Wiles was elected mayor, Mr. Jones continuing under him as city marshal. Subsequently he established himself in the livery business and now gives his sole attention to this enterprise. He is a courteous and obliging man and has built up a profitable business along honorable principles. Such success as has been his is well merited and is the outcome of determination, industry, honesty and close application.

On February lo, 1904, Mr. Jones married Miss Jessie Hull, a daughter of J. M. and Susan (Redmond) Hull. She is one of four children born to her parents and is widely and favorably known in Boone as a lady of womanly qualities of character. Mr. Jones is a republican and thoroughly devoted to his party. He has taken a laudable part in the progress of Boone and is ever ready to support new enterprises which promise to be of value to the community. He has many friends, all of whom esteem and respect him for what he is and what he has achieved.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MARK C. JONES, M. D.

Dr. Mark C. Jones, a physician and surgeon of established reputation and recognized skill, has practiced his profession in Boone for the past five years with gratifying results. His birth occurred in McLean county, Illinois, on the 24th of September, 1871, his parents being Nelson and Eliza A. (White) Jones, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Both have passed away. Throughout his active business career Nelson Jones devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Ward B., who is a resident of McLean county, Illinois; Lattie G., also living in McLean county, Illinois; Anna, who is the wife of S. R. Hilts, of Bloomington, Illinois; Elmetta, at home; and Mark C, of this review.

The last named supplemented his early education by a course of study in the Illinois State Normal University at Normal, and subsequently attended Kastman College of Poughkeepsie, New York. He afterward spent three years in the Third National Bank of Bloomington and then took up the study of medicine in St. Louis University, which institution conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1898. Dr. Jones first located for practice in Illinois, but after a short period removed to Indiana, where he followed his profession successfully for ten years. In igo he came to Boone, Iowa, where he has remained to the present time, building up a gratifying and remunerative practice.

On the 21st of September, 1898, Dr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Harriett White, a native of Illinois, by whom he has three children, as follows: Margaret, whose birth occurred on the 4th of June, 1900; Robert N., who was born June 2, 1903; and Grace Virginia, whose natal day was December 21,

In his political views Dr. Jones is a progressive, advocating the principles set forth by Theodore Roosevelt at the time of the birth of the party. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His acquaintance is wide, and he has a host of friends, whose high regard he has gained through his professional ability, his deference to the opinions of others, his genial manner and unfailing courtesy.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.