The Jones Families of Keokuk County, Iowa

JOHN P. JONES.

Among the prominent agriculturists of Keokuk county, there are few better known or more widely respected than Mr. Jones, the veterinary surgeon and horse dentist of Steady Run. Coming to this region in 1845, when a mere infant, he has grown up with the country, and having spent the greater part of his life on the farm, there are few, if any, who excel him in practical knowledge of agriculture. He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, February 2j, 1844, and is the son of Alexander and Comfort T. (Ford) Jones.

Alexander Jones, also a veterinary surgeon and a prosperous agriculturist, was one of those strong, vigorous men who assisted in the opening up of this county to settlers. Born in North Carolina, August 8, 1800, he was, by his father, of Welch extraction and by his mother of English When a lad nine years old lie moved with his parents to a farm in east Tennessee, where he spent his youth and early manhood. In the schools of his neighborhood he received a fair education, and on the home farm practical training for his life work. At the early age of eighteen he rented a farm in his vicinity and started life for himself. At this same time he married Comfort T. Ford, who was born in Tennessee, July 31, 1800. and there grew to womanhood. Of this union there were seven children, the first three of whom were born in Tennessee—Henry, October 16, 1825; Mary. October 8, 1828; and Sarah, Ma) 16, 1831. William was born in Indiana, November 27, 1833; Cynthy Ann, February 24, 1836; John P. is mentioned below; and Alexander was born on the Steady Run homestead, September 29, 1846. Mrs. Jones was a sympathetic wife and mother and a great help to her husband. She died June 14, 1878.

Alexander Jones continued on the rented farm in Tennessee until he was twenty-seven years old, when he moved his family to Indiana, where he settled on a farm of his own. Here he put forth his strong many efforts 'in the opening up of the new country, and made his farm one of the most productive in his section. After eight years, however, he decided to cast his lot with the new settlers of Iowa, and moved with his wife and children to Jefferson county in 1841. Here he rented a farm upon which he remained until 1845. In the meantime he found in Keokuk county a hundred and twenty acre tract of new land which struck him as an excellent place for a permanent settlement, located as it was in the fertile district of Steady Run. Coming into possession of this in 1845, he moved here and spent the rest of his active life in clearing up and improving it. He had in time a very attractive place, and became one of the well-to-do farmers of this region. Besides attending to the active duties of his estate he was employed by farmers far and near as a veterinary surgeon. This profession he had learned from his forefathers, many of whom had practiced it for generations. Being very successful in this line he materially increased his income by his practice. He lived to the age of seventy-eight, and died December 3, 1884. His last days were spent in retirement. As one of the intelligent early settlers of the county Mr. Jones always had a great deal to do with public affairs. For a number of years he served as trustee of his town, and managed affairs with a wisdom and fidelity, which reflected great credit upon his integrity, and his remarkable business ability. He was one of the substantial members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination of his place, and assisted materially in the building of the church.

John P. Jones has spent the greater part of his life in Keokuk county. Coming here with his father when but one year old, he received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, which he attended at irregular periods until he was twenty-three years old. During this period of his life especially during the later years he assisted his father

GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HiSTORY. 3ll in clearing up the farm, and also in his professional duties, becoming an adept in the last. At the age of twenty-three he assumed the entire management of the farm, which he has since continued. On September i. 1867, he married Martha J. Stubbs, who was born in Tennessee, November 1, 1837, and there grew to womanhood. In 1865 she moved with her parents, C. N. and Mary E. Stubbs, to a farm in Keokuk county, where she resided until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had seven children: Henry L., born June 7, 1868; Mary A., October 24, 1869; Sarah E., September 4, 1871; John W., August 26, 1873; Julia A., October 10, 1875; Lucie C, January 11, 1878; and Alexander June 22, 1880. All were born and reared on the family homestead. Mr. Jones has proved himself quite as able an agriculturist as his father was, and he has a farm of which he may well be proud. As a farmer, he is progressive and thoroughly up-to-date, and at the same time is extremely practical. Aside from his agricultural work, he has an extensive practice as a veterinary surgeon and horse dentist, at which he is very successful. He has made well out of his different lines of business, and is considered one of the well-to-do farmers of his county. As was his father, Mr. Jones is an ardent Democrat in politics and takes an active interest in public affairs. Reared in the Methodist faith, he is an earnest member of that church, of which he has held several offices and is now acting as trustee, performing his duties with fidelity and marked ability. He is well and favorably known and has hosts of friends throughout his county.

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

Jacob Jones, a member of the grocery firm of Jones Brothers of Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Blount county. Tennessee. March 14, 1848, and is a son of Hezekiah and Jerusha ( Bales) Jones, who were married in Tennessee, and moved to Keokuk county in 1851, locating on a farm two miles north of Richland. Later Mr. Jones was engaged in a grocery business at Pleasantplain, Iowa, for some thirteen years, returning then to his farm, where he now resides at the age of eighty years. The mother of our subject was born and reared in Tennessee and was married in Greene county, and is now seventy-nine years of age. Both she and her husband were reared in the Society of Friends, her father, David Bales, being a very prominent member. He lived to the age of one hundred years. The Jones family is of Welsh descent. The family born to the parents of our subject numbered ten children, their names being as follows: Abigail, who died, when about fifty-six wars old; David H., who is a farmer near Pleasantplain, Iowa; Jacob and Isaac, who were twins, the latter of whom died at the age of twenty-eight years; Rebecca A., who is the wife of Ezra Hadley, of Jefferson county, Iowa: William W., who resides in Richland township, on the old homestead; Emma, who was the wife of T. A. Hill, passed away at the age of twenty-five years; H. Morgan, who is a member of the firm of Jones Brothers: Lewis E.. who is a resident of Pleasantplain; and Joseph John, who died at the age of two years.

Jacob Jones was reared on the farm in Richland township and obtained his education in the local schools, supplemented with four terms at Penn College, at Oskaloosa, Iow-a, where he took a complete commercial course. ' After finishing school he engaged in teaching for eight terms, all but one in Keokuk county, and then began in the grocery business in the capacity of a clerk. He remained for three years with Swearingen & Stalker in Richland, and later was with other firms, thus thoroughly mastering every detail of the trade. Thus equipped, in 1884 he formed a partnership with T. A. Hill in the grocery business, but six months later Mr. Hill withdrew7 and Morgan Jones, a younger brother of our subject, took his interest, and since that time the firm style has been Jones Brothers, and has grown into one of the leading houses in Richland.

On September 18. 1888. Mr. Jones was married to M. Sue Paxton, who was born in Virginia and is the daughter of George W. and Edith (Price) Paxton. Four children have been born to this union, namely: Florence L., Frances E., Harold J., and an infant. Mr. Jones was reared as a Friend and is an earnest worker for the interests of the Society and is active in the Sabbath-school. Since he was three years old he has lived in Richland township, and since attaining years of discretion has cast his influence in the direction of education and morality and has furthered as far as possible all legitimate temperance movements. In politics he is a Republican and at different times has served in the town council. Mr. Jones is a good citizen and as such is universally held in esteem.

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

DAVID JONES, M.D.

David Jones, M. D., a prominent old settler of Richland township. Keokuk county. Iowa, was born in Blount county. Tennessee, October 31, 1829, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Morgan) Jones, the former

'I whom was born and reared near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thomas Jones, the grandfather of Dr. Jones, was born in Wales and came in boyhood to America with his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania. This family lias been members of the Society of Friends for generations. James Jones was for a great main years an elder and was a man of most estimable life, who died at the age of seventy years. He married Rebecca Morgan, whose great-grandfather accompanied William Penn on his second voyage to America an-! was one of Penn's admirers and supporters. Thomas Morgan, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Jones, was of English descent, a farmer by occupation, and a man of prominence and respectability. The mother died at the age of seventy-three years. The parents of Dr. Jones had six sons to-row to manhood and two daughters to reach maturity.

Dr. Jones was the youngest son of his parents, and he was reared in the old home in Tennessee, and attended the local schools. Later he was sent to a boarding'-school at New Garden, North Carolina, which lias now been transformed into Guilford College. At the age of twenty years he began teaching and followed this profession in North Carolina and Tennessee, later becoming one of the instructors at Friendsville Institute, in the latter state, which position he held for two years. In 1861 he came to Keokuk county, Iowa, and began teaching at Pleasantplain, in Jefferson county, continuing until 1873 and most acceptably iiiiing positions both in town and country. During this time the young man had been studying medicine and in the fall of 1873 began practice in Richland, remaining active in this profession until 1898, when he retired.

In 1852 Dr. Jones was married to Rebecca P. Jones, who is a daughter of James and Sarah (Smitzer) Jones, of Tennessee, and to this union was born a family of seven sons and one daughter, as follows: James M.; Elisha R.; Francis A.; Mattie E., who married William A. Goodman; John L.; Walter S.; Benjamin C.; and Joseph C. Dr. Jones is a leading member of the Society of Friends in this locality, and for more than twenty years has been an elder, in simplicity of life exemplifying the admirable principles he professes. In his early days he was a Whig in political sentiment, and is now a deeply interested Republican. Dr. Jones is one of the most highly respected citizens of Richland.

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